SCSJ Objects to New Election Rules, Asks for Legislative Review

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Melissa Boughton

Katie Crisp

RALEIGH, N.C. (August 26, 2026) — The North Carolina Rules Review Commission will meet Thursday to consider the legality of new election rules adopted by the State Board of Elections, which would weaken protections for voters.

Southern Coalition for Social Justice (SCSJ) sent objection letters today raising concerns about administrative rules approved by the State Board of Elections that would impact the approval of Photo ID reasonable impediment forms, restrict voter outreach and engagement activities at the polls, and change the processing of mail-in absentee ballots. The letters request legislative review in the upcoming session and for the effective date of the new rules to be delayed until after that review. This delay would mean the new rules would not take effect for the 2026 General Election.

The State Board is removing the unanimous-vote requirement for rejecting Photo ID exception forms, making it easier for county boards of election to invalidate a cast ballot with a simple 3-2 (and possibly completely partisan) majority vote. SCSJ urges protection of the unanimity requirement, which ensures equal treatment of voters across counties and has proven necessary to prevent the wrongful rejection of ballots in past elections. SCSJ also suggests greater clarification on county boards’ considerations and adequate notice for voters before their ballots are rejected, according to its letter.

Read the objection letter here.

The State Board is adding new voting site rules that restrict election-related activities outside of polling places and create a blanket prohibition on sound amplification devices, such as speakers. SCSJ is joined by the ACLU of North Carolina (ACLU-NC) in a letter raising concerns that the polling site rules go far beyond what state law requires and risk unconstitutionally restricting the voter-engagement activities North Carolinians depend on at the polls.

Absentee Voting Rules

The State Board is imposing additional burdens on some mail-in absentee voters during the notice and cure process, making it harder for their ballots to be counted when they make honest mistakes returning their paperwork. SCSJ is flagging concerns about the change, emphasizing that it is neither in the public interest nor necessary.

Earlier this summer, SCSJ provided comments to the State Board of Elections regarding the photo ID, voting site, and absentee voting rules.

WHAT: North Carolina Rules Review Commission Meeting

WHEN: 10:00 a.m. Thursday, August 27, 2026

WHERE: NC Office of Administrative Hearings, 1711 New Hope Church Road, Raleigh, NC 27609 (An option to attend virtually can be found here.)

The Rules Review Commission is the executive agency created by the General Assembly in 1986, charged with reviewing and approving rules adopted by state agencies. More information about the meeting can be found here.

A voting rights attorney can be available for phone or Zoom interviews.

Southern Coalition for Social Justice came together in 2007 to give Black, Brown, and low-income people better resources in the fight for justice across the South. We are lawyers, social scientists, and communications professionals working to dismantle racism and oppression in the criminal legal system, in our environment, and at the ballot box. Learn more at southerncoalition.org and follow our work on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.