Public Comment Portal: Permanent Election Observer Rules
Comment on Proposed Rules
The State Board of Elections invites the public to comment on three proposed permanent rules: Two governing challenges and appeals regarding election observers appointed by political parties, and one addressing the requirement for such observers to wear identification at the polls, so voters and election officials know the observers’ role in the voting site.
Text of the proposed rules are available at the three links below:
- Challenge to the Appointment of an Observer (08 NCAC 20 .0101) (PDF) describes the process for county boards of elections to hear challenges to an observer for good cause, and for appeals of those challenge decisions. Observers (N.C.G.S. § 163-45.1) requires such a process to be established.
- Appeal of Removal of an Observer from a Voting Site (08 NCAC 20 .0102) (PDF) describes the process for the party that appointed an observer to appeal the removal of an observer from a voting site. Observers (N.C.G.S. § 163-45.1) requires such a process to be established.
- Identification of Observers (08 NCAC 20 .0103) (PDF) requires every observer serving at a voting site to wear an identification tag to inform voters and election officials of the observers’ role in the voting place. Observers (N.C.G.S. § 163-45.1) authorizes such an identification requirement.
The public comment period opens Feb. 17, 2025, and closes at 11:59 p.m. on April 21, 2025. Submitted comments will be compiled and provided to the State Board for its review before its final consideration of the proposed rules.
For more information about the rulemaking process, please visit Rulemaking.