Thousands of North Carolina mail ballots are on track to be rejected over technical errors after a federal judge upheld strict new Republican-backed rules, according to data shared with Democracy Docket.
Common Cause North Carolina and the Southern Coalition for Social Justice compiled figures from 27 of the state’s 100 counties. They show a rejection rate of about 3 percent, double the 2022 rate, and as high as 7-8 percent in Democratic strongholds Mecklenburg and Forsyth. In Guilford County, over 2 percent of ballots in recent weeks were tossed solely because voters didn’t properly seal the new inner envelope. Wake and Durham are at 2.5 percent. In tiny Alexander County, 6.67 percent were spoiled as of October 6.
Democracy Docket estimates 3,942 ballots would be rejected statewide at a 3 percent rate, a figure based on 2022 volume adjusted for a drop in requests. Some rejections stem from other causes. Voters can cure their ballots, but few do.
“If the trends hold, we’re looking at thousands of votes that could be spoiled because of this new guidance,” said Common Cause North Carolina’s Sailor Jones.
The rules require voters to seal their ballot in an inner envelope, and limit who can help them to “near-relatives.” Advocates say the sealing step is hardest for older and disabled voters. Absentee requests are down 32 percent from this point in 2022.
The state elections board, now controlled by Republicans, imposed the rules September 4, the morning the first ballots went out. Executive Director Sam Hayes said the ruling “does not change how they cast their ballots.” Meanwhile, U.S. District Judge Thomas Schroeder, a George W. Bush appointee, rejected a bid to block the rules this month, citing “election integrity and chain-of-custody concerns” and saying it was too late to change rules.
Elias Law Group, founded by Democracy Docket’s founder, represents the plaintiffs.