Democracy NC Responds to State Elections Board COVID-19 Emergency Order

RALEIGH, N.C. (7/17/2020) — Karen Brinson Bell, Executive Director of the State Board of Elections, on Friday issued a COVID-19-related emergency order impacting Early Voting and other voting options for the 2020 General Election.

The order comes nearly two months after Democracy North Carolina and other plaintiffs filed a lawsuit against the State Board of Elections demanding North Carolina take the necessary steps to guarantee a fair, safe election in November, given the likelihood that the state and the country will still be experiencing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Democracy North Carolina’s Advocacy Director Alissa Ellis responded to the order, saying the “measures fall far short of what is necessary” to protect voters this fall.

“...these measures fall far short of what is necessary, and we encourage the State Board and Legislature to take further efforts to make voting safe and accessible to all voters during this pandemic,” –Alissa Ellis, Democracy NC

“Today’s emergency action by the State Board of Elections to expand Early Voting options, in addition to other safeguards, acknowledges what we’ve known for some time: to keep in-person voting safe amid the uncertain COVID-19 crisis, we’ll need to increase access to North Carolina’s Early Voting options and, in doing so, help avoid long lines and allow for safer social distancing at the polls,” said Ellis. “However, these measures fall far short of what is necessary, and we encourage the State Board and Legislature to take further efforts to make voting safe and accessible to all voters during this pandemic, including expanding voter registration opportunities, easing assistance restrictions for absentee ballots, allowing county boards more flexibility in the hours they offer voters for early voting, and guaranteeing PPE and ballot drop boxes for voters. With voting only months away, now the immediate work must turn to helping North Carolina’s counties facilitate these important changes and educating voters about these and other options to vote more safely this fall.”

Democracy North Carolina is a statewide nonpartisan organization that uses research, organizing, and advocacy to increase civic participation, reduce the influence of big money in politics, and remove systemic barriers to voting and serving in elected office. Learn more at democracync.org.

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MEDIA CONTACTS:

Sailor Jones, Campaigns Director, 919-260-5906

Alissa Ellis, Advocacy Director, 919-619-3712

State Board of Elections COVID-19 Emergency Order

Read the State Board of Elections July 17th emergency order calling for 2020 General Elections changes.