NC elections board OKs stricter rules for observers

North Carolina election leaders hope that proposed rule changes will lead to fewer disruptions from election observers.

The North Carolina State Board of Elections on Tuesday unanimously approved temporary rule changes for election observers, many of whom are appointed by political parties to monitor the voting process from inside polling sites.

The board's vote now requires final approval from the state Rules Review Commission, which consists of ten commissioners appointed by legislative leaders. It was unclear Tuesday when the commission would take up the recommendation.

The amendments clarify that precinct officials can eject election observers for repeatedly leaving the polling site, straying beyond designated observation areas, or for positioning themselves near tabulators or other materials where they might be able to view confidential information.

Stacy Eggers, a Republican state elections board member, said the changes are meant to “deal with the tension between the orderly administration by our directors and their staff and also those who wish to make sure everything is being done properly and to observe.”

Election observers are allowed to walk in designated areas to watch, take notes, and report any concerns to the precinct’s chief judge or one-stop manager. Unlike poll workers, election observers don’t receive any training from county elections boards on how to perform their duties.

Threats, intimidation and legal action. Skeptics strain NC election workers

Having clearer rules will make it easier for precinct judges to intervene when needed,” said Paul Cox, a lawyer for the state elections board. “The intimidation of [a] voter or an election official is prohibited conduct under our laws, and it's a criminal act,” he said.

Since the 2020 election, some conspiracy theorists have falsely claimed that North Carolina’s voting machines could be hacked to manipulate vote counts. In interviews with WRAL, county elections directors have said they believe that heightened skepticism of the voting process led to an increase in questions and requests from party-appointed observers.

Henderson County had more observers this May than elections director Karen Hebb can remember. She welcomed the rising interest in elections but was frustrated by some observers who caused disruptions.

“It's stressful enough to have voters lined out the door and you're trying to get them in and out without a long wait period—and then to be constantly questioned,” Hebb told WRAL News. In terms of disruptions at polling places, she said, “I've been here for over 30 years, and it was the worst election we've ever had.”

State board election members said they’ll consider implementing the changes permanently after reviewing their effectiveness in the November general election.