NC H772

County political party chairs may designate 2 site-specific observers per voting place and 10 additional county-wide at-large observers; state party chairs may designate up to 100 state-wide at-large observers, with maximum of 3 total observers from same party in voting enclosure at any time.

Observer lists must be submitted electronically or in writing to county board of elections director prior to 10:00 A.M. on the fifth day before any primary or general election.

New section (c1) explicitly permits observers to move freely in voting enclosure, record zero and post-election poll tapes, observe voter check-in conversations, inspect completed ballots, photograph signage, use electronic devices for notes, and maintain chain of custody observation of ballot boxes.

New section (c2) prohibits observers from wearing campaign materials, speaking with voters, viewing confidential voter information, photographing voters without consent, entering voting booths, or communicating with voters.

Chief judges or site supervisors may remove observers for rule violations only after issuing verbal or written warning; appointing party chair must be notified within 30 minutes and given opportunity to replace observer immediately, and citizens cannot be prohibited from serving without hearing and due process.