Poll workers Coverage

Editorial: Thanks NC poll workers! You really are 'Democracy Heroes'

Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022 -- The 2022 campaign season shouldn't close without a loud shout-out to the more than 20,000 volunteers and part-time hires - "Democracy Heroes" the N.C. State Board of Elections appropriately calls them. This year's election, in particular, was an especially heroic effort given the derision and open animosity election officials and workers faced.

Board of Elections leaders discuss poll worker and election safety

State Elections Director Karen Brinson Bell held a news conference on Monday, and gave a pretty upbeat description, saying, so far, this election has been similar to others.

Explaining why the election results process takes time

North Carolina polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. But after the polls close, county and state elections officials go through many more steps before they can certify results.

Here's why you don't get final results on Election Night

North Carolina polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. But after the polls close, county and state elections officials go through many more steps before they can certify results.

Laura Leslie, WRAL capitol bureau chief

Decision 2022: Poll workers train for conflict

Tuesday marks one week until the 2022 midterm election. Leaders nationwide are concerned about potential threats to poll workers and voters leading up to the midterms and on election day.

As early-voting period begins in NC, partisan poll watchers have new rules to follow

North Carolina election officials have issued a 12-page memo outlining the rules for partisan poll observers inside voting places this fall.

Election directors concerned about potential disruptions at polls

North Carolina election officials have issued a 12-page memo outlining the rules for partisan poll observers inside voting places this fall. That's after elections officials across the state reported problematic behavior by observers during the May primary.

Laura Leslie, WRAL capitol bureau chief

Editorial: With worries of disruptions, just be polite at polling places

Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022 -- With expectations of a strong voter turnout, everyone will need to be on their best behavior - be polite and follow appropriate etiquette - so every qualified voter is able to cast a ballot and each of those properly cast ballots is accurately counted.

NC commission rejects proposal for tighter restrictions on poll watchers

The North Carolina State Board of Elections unanimously sought to tighten rules for poll watchers. The state's Rules Review Commission's members, who are appointed by the state's Republican-controlled legislature, rejected the changes.

Bryan Anderson, WRAL state government reporter

Growing number of election workers report being threatened

Voting requires scores of volunteers and full-time officials to make the process work, But in this heated political climate, a growing number say they've been threatened.

Fact check: Was a Pennsylvania poll worker turned away?

As Pennsylvania voters headed to the polls for their last chance to vote in the 2020 election, posts on social media claimed there was a lack of transparency in the election process.

Miriam Valverde, PolitiFact reporter

Two Durham deputies turned away from polling location for being in uniform

Across the country, people are feeling tension leading up to the election and the right to vote.

Leslie Moreno, WRAL multimedia journalist

NC laws protect voters against most intimidation efforts

Election observers are recruited and trained by the parties. The most lethal thing observers carry is a clipboard. They're prohibited from speaking to or photographing voters.

Victoria Loe Hicks / Carolina Public Press

Editorial: Trump's needless poll watchers only breed distrust and disruption

Friday, Oct. 2, 2020 -- While President Donald Trump and his backers are doing all they can to plant the seeds of a self-fulfilling prediction of disruption and confusion at polling places with unneeded unofficial poll watchers, North Carolina elections officials - Republicans and Democrats - aren't having any of it. They steadfastly remain dedicated to assuring voting is conducted properly, safely and fairly.

Trump says poll watchers can combat election fraud, but crowds of people monitoring NC polling sites aren't allowed

President Donald Trump encouraged volunteers to stand watch at polling sites nationwide, but Wake County elections officials said Thursday that it's not only unnecessary, it's also illegal.

Keely Arthur, WRAL reporter

As early voting days approach, some NC counties still need poll workers

At least a quarter of North Carolina's counties are struggling to recruit poll workers for the 2020 election, according to a recent survey of counties conducted last week by the State Board of Elections

NC Watchdog Reporting Network