The League of Women Voters of North Carolina is continuing to monitor proposed changes affecting North Carolina elections, including legislation related to early voting access.
Senate Bill 1084, recently introduced in the North Carolina General Assembly, would reduce North Carolina’s current early voting period from 17 days to 10 days.
Early voting has become the primary way North Carolinians cast their ballots. In the 2024 general election, approximately 74% of all ballots in North Carolina were cast during in-person early voting. Republicans, Democrats, and unaffiliated voters alike utilized early voting opportunities throughout the state.
LWVNC believes North Carolina’s current 17-day early voting period supports both voters and election officials while helping maintain public confidence in the election process.
As discussions around early voting continue, the League encourages policymakers to consider several practical impacts frequently raised by voters and election administrators:
- A longer early voting period provides voters additional time to address registration or photo ID issues that may arise, particularly for new voters
- Consistent early voting schedules help counties manage staffing, polling locations, and logistics more effectively
- Reducing early voting days or locations can concentrate voter traffic into fewer days and increase administrative strain
- Early voting provides important flexibility for working voters, caregivers, elderly voters, students, and rural communities
- Supporting election officials with adequate resources may help address operational challenges without reducing voter access opportunities
The League of Women Voters of North Carolina supports elections that are secure, accessible, well-administered, and trusted by the public.
Members and supporters interested in contacting their legislators may find their information here:
