NC Approves Updated Mail-In Ballot Rules Ahead of Election Day

North Carolina's State Board of Elections approved updated, non-permanent guidance for counting mail-in ballots just hours before ballots go out, including spoiling ballots if the inner envelope isn’t sealed, a signature mismatch, or more than one ballot in the return envelope; voters may be contacted for replacements, and in-person delivery remains limited to the voter or a near relative/guardian. The plan is to standardize counting while awaiting legislative review before becoming permanent, with deadlines to request absentee ballots by Oct. 20 and ballots due by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 3, plus BallotTrax tracking.