Board hears updates on Senate Bill 382 implementation and ongoing Seat 6 protest

The board received two legal updates: the director said the provisions of Senate Bill 382 took effect Jan. 1 and the office is following the law as written while litigation continues over who makes certain board appointments. The director also told the board the protest concerning the North Carolina Supreme Court Seat 6 remains ongoing and may be heard by the Supreme Court before the end of the month, though dates are not firm.

Paula Seamster said most provisions that affect county elections operations — including absentee ballot deadlines and provisional-ballot handling — are proceeding under the new law. She said one change noted for county practice is the provisional-ballot period was shortened: relevant deadlines were moved to the Friday after Election Day, giving the office three days rather than ten days to prepare provisional ballots.

The director told the board that the state board of elections informed local officials that the state board would remain at five members and county boards would remain at five members (not changing to eight or four), but that the appointment process for those seats is being litigated by parties including the governor. Until litigation concludes, the elections office will operate in accordance with the statute’s text.

Board members asked procedural questions about timelines and were told the state board had met recently but no final hearing date was available from staff. The director said she will pass along any schedule changes as they are known.

No board action was required; staff will monitor court schedules and state-board guidance and notify the board of substantive changes.