State Board Opens Public Comment Period on Proposed Rules on Electronic Poll Books | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:

    Raleigh, N.C.     The State Board of Elections has opened a public comment period on rules that will establish the standards and procedures for an electronic poll book certification program in North Carolina.

    Public comments will be accepted through November 14. A virtual public hearing will be held on October 2, 2023.

    An electronic poll book is a system used to check the registration of voters who appear to vote in person, to assign voters their correct ballots, and to record the voters' check-in and acceptance of ballots. Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 163-165.7(c), the only electronic poll books permitted for use in elections in North Carolina, other than those which have been developed or maintained by the State Board, are those certified by the State Board in accordance with procedures and subject to standards adopted by the State Board.

    Most states authorize or use electronic poll books. Some states have certification processes, while others have formal guidelines or rules for their use.

    The first proposed rule, 08 NCAC 04 .0401, contains the standards that must be met by the electronic poll book and vendor to qualify for certification and to maintain the electronic poll book's certified status.

    Rule Text: Standards for Certification of Electronic Poll Books 08 NCAC 04 .0401 (PDF)

    The second proposed rule, 08 NCAC 04 .0402, contains the procedures that must be followed by the State Board when certifying an electronic poll book and when reviewing changes to, decertifying, or suspending the use of a certified electronic poll book.

    Rule Text: Procedures for Certification of Electronic Poll Books 08 NCAC 04 .0402 (PDF)

    How to Comment

    Members of the public may comment on the rules in any of the following ways from September 15 through November 14, 2023.

    Online: Public Comment Portal: Electronic Poll Book Rules (starting September 15)

    Email: rulemaking.sboe@ncsbe.gov

    Mail: Attn: Rulemaking Coordinator, PO Box 27255, Raleigh, NC 27611-7255

    Virtual public hearing: 11 a.m. October 2, 2023

• Online: Webex: Webinar number: 2427 491 5948, Passcode: NCSBE
• By Phone: (415) 655-0003, Access code: 2427 491 5948#, Passcode: 62723

   Contact: Patrick Gannon
   Public Information Director
   Email: patrick.gannon@ncsbe.gov