NC working to Ensure Voter Security and Confidence

The State Board of Elections today released detailed guidance aimed at ensuring all voters can safely and securely cast their ballot and election officials can perform their duties free of harassment, intimidation, and interference.

State and federal laws prohibit intimidation or interference with the rights of voters to participate in an election, including hindering access to the voting place. The law also makes it a crime to interfere with election officials carrying out their duties. Penalties for violations include prison time, fines, or both. Earlier in the summer, as part of its regular conference for North Carolina elections officials, the State Board hosted training for all county boards of elections on securing elections and the voting process. That training included topics such as de-escalation techniques for election workers, building relationships with local law enforcement to promote effective coordination to respond to incidents, and the laws that exist to maintain order at the polls.