Action Alert: Absentee Voting: Curable Deficiencies 08 NCAC 18.0502

• Please rephrase the Suggestions and Rationale for Curable Deficiencies rule so the NCSBE treats each submission separately.

• Then click on the Public Comment Portal at the bottom of the page to submit your Comment.

• Email Jane.bilello@gmail.com with the Rule and comment you submitted so we can keep track of submissions. Thanks.

Proposed rule 08 NCAC 18 .0502: Curable Deficiencies. Mark Up for Curable Deficiencies

Suggestion: 

Address “curable” deficiencies with respect to “Absentee Ballot Return Packages” from voters.  Migrate the rules for processing “irregularities” from proposed rule .0505 into a sub-paragraph (b) under this rule, adding in the processing requirements to make the determination of curability.  Amend and clarify the contents of the ten curable deficiencies in this rule to eliminate cross-referencing to other rules, as they are already documented in other rules under 08 NCAC 17.   Delete one curable deficiency as redundant. 

Rationale: 

1.      The proposed changes simplify the determination of “curability” for deficiencies in absentee ballot return packages. 

2.      The proposed changes reduce the need to cross-reference to other rules, which can be dizzying for election officials.  Plus, changes to one rule could impact the other rules and may       require subsequent changes. 

3.      The clarifications in the ten deficiency areas under sub-paragraph (a) more precisely define the deficiencies being addressed. 

4.      The proposed changes in sub-paragraph (b) clarifies what actions election staff must take to determine curability of certain deficiencies. 

5.      The proposed addition of sub-paragraph (b) allows the elimination of 08 NCAC 18.0505.    

6.      This rule now addresses all curable deficiencies for absentee ballot return packages. 

After you have rephrased the Suggestion and Rationale:

• Click on the Public Comment Portal: https://www.ncsbe.gov/public-comment-portal-2026-rulemaking-absentee-voting

• Scroll down to the form, Record Your Public Comment.

• Fill in the form with the Rule, Your Name, Your Email, and Comment. 

We are trying to keep track of numbers of folks who commented. Please, when you complete your public comment, email Jane at jane.bilello@gmail.com with the rule(s) you submitted for Public Comment. Thank you.