North Carolina GOP Bill Seeks to Cut Early Voting Period

North Carolina -- House Bill 66, a newly proposed measure in the North Carolina General Assembly, seeks to drastically shorten the early voting window for the state. Introduced by Republican

 

Representative Wyatt Gable and co-sponsored by fellow GOP representatives Steve Tyson, Keith Kidwell, and Paul Scott, the measure would reduce early voting from the present 17 days to just 6 days. Among legislators, election authorities, and supporters of voting rights, the initiative has generated controversy.

 

 

Early voting under present North Carolina election rules starts on the third Thursday before an election and lasts until 3:00 PM on the last Saturday before Election Day. For voters, this gives about two and a half weeks of in-person early voting. House Bill 66 aims to change this process by moving the start of early voting to the second Monday before an election, therefore cutting the early voting period by almost half.

 

 

Although the authors of the measure have not offered a formal statement explaining their reasoning, advocates contend that cutting the early voting period would relieve some financial and administrative load on local election boards. Some supporters say that by focusing voter involvement inside a smaller period of time, the action will simplify the voting process and increase efficiency.

Previously supporting similar policies, Andy Jackson, Director of the Civitas Center for Public Integrity, highlighted important advantages including cost savings and resource allocation. "Research indicates that early voting has a "sweet spot" spanning seven to ten days. A shortened period can cut expenses without appreciably affecting voter turnout," Jackson said.

 

 

 

Voting rights groups among other opponents of the measure contend that reducing the early voting time will disproportionately affect seniors, working-class citizens, and minority groups depending on longer early voting access. President of the League of Women Voters of North Carolina Jennifer Rubin voiced worries about a smaller voting window possibly causing longer lines, higher wait times, and less access to the vote box.

Representing North Carolina Asian Americans Together, Shruti Parikh pointed out possible problems for voters with inadequate English ability. "Many voters depend on early voting to guarantee they receive the help required to mark their ballots. Reducing this period could lead to obstacles discouraging involvement," she said.

 

 

House Bill 66 passed its first reading in the North Carolina House in February 6, 2025; it has been submitted to the Committee on Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House for additional review. The future of the measure is still unknown as legislators of both sides get ready to discuss possible effects.

 

Concerning Future Elections

 

House Bill 66's debut coincides with North Carolina still a battleground state for national elections. More than 70% of all the votes in the 2024 general election come from over 4.1 million early voters. Should the measure pass, voting trends and accessibility throughout the state may be greatly changed.

 

Supporters and detractors of the measure are expected to become more aggressive as it passes through the legislative process in either advancing or stopping it from becoming law. The result will probably help to define North Carolina's election scene for next years.

 

WNCTimes

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