Canvass in 2022 will be held on Nov. 18. Many county boards of elections also hold pre-canvass meetings in the days leading up to Nov. 18. We encourage North Carolina voters to attend and take part in this transparent process.
The term "Canvass" means the entire process of determining that the votes have been counted and tabulated correctly, culminating in the authentication of the official election results. (NC 163- 182.5)
According to the NC State Board of Elections (NCSBE) procedures, a county board of elections (CBOE) Canvass covers the following:
- Sample Audit – test to ensure voting equipment read the voter’s choices accurately.
- Absentee Ballot Review/Count – pertaining to ballots received after and not processed before Election Day.
- Provisional Ballot Review/Count – ballots will have a preliminary review and are researched by CBOE staff to determine eligibility for counting.
- Election Day Reconciliation
- Challenges/Protests
- Close Contest Audit – also known as Recounts.
Canvass is the responsibility of CBOE members. All decisions are made by Board members.
Our ask:
1. Read LWVNC’s 2022 Canvass Guide.
2. Check various CBOE websites to learn of Pre-Canvass and Canvass times/locations. You can travel outside of your county if you know that your county's BOE meeting is being observed by others.
3. Fill out this short form to let us know what meetings you will attend so that we know we have an observer in place for that county.
4. Soon after you have attended each meeting, submit your report to LWVNC.
Questions? Reach out to communications [at] lwvnc.org.
OTHER RESOURCES
More Guidance on Observing CBOE Meetings in NC
Watch LWVNC’s Video on North Carolina’s Post-Election Process
