NC H304

Requires mail-in absentee ballots to be received by county boards of elections by 7:30 p.m. on election day to be counted, except those postmarked by election day and received within three days or military-overseas ballots received by end of business the day before canvass.

Prohibits use of ballot drop boxes for returning voted absentee ballots; ballots must be delivered in person to the county board office, by mail, or by commercial courier service.

Mandates county boards of elections and State Board publish on websites and voter materials the date absentee ballots become available for voting and the deadline for requesting an absentee ballot.

Requires county boards of elections to report daily during early voting and the day after election day to the State Board regarding spoiled ballots, outstanding ballots sent and received, and voted provisional ballots; State Board must publish reports publicly in readable format.

Establishes separate challenge periods for absentee ballots received by 5:00 p.m. on election day (by 5:00 p.m. same day), those received between 5:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. (by 5:00 p.m. next day), and those received after election day (by 5:00 p.m. next business day after deadline).