Support H.B. 1246—The Safeguarding Elections Act

I urge you to vote yes on H.B. 1246, the Safeguarding Elections Act. This bill strengthens election integrity while protecting voters and election workers—core requirements for a functioning democracy. Protecting Voters and Election Workers H.B. 1246 establishes serious criminal penalties for voter intimidation and coercion, including threats tied to employment or pay. It also protects poll workers and election officials from harassment and threats with penalties up to $100,000 in fines and 5 years imprisonment. Election workers perform essential civic duties and deserve legal protection. Voters deserve to cast ballots free from fear or intimidation. Ensuring Official Accountability Part V disqualifies public officials who refuse to certify actual election results without clear and convincing evidence. Refusal triggers automatic resignation and a $10,000 fine. This is critical: election officials must certify legitimate results based on facts, not political pressure. No official should be able to overturn elections through obstruction. Strengthening Voter Rights and Privacy H.B. 1246 guarantees equal access to early voting with standardized hours statewide (8 AM–7:30 PM weekdays; 8 AM–5 PM Saturdays; 12 PM–5 PM Sundays). It protects ballots cast under established election-day laws from being discounted retroactively. It allows voters with minor deficiencies on absentee or provisional ballots to correct them before canvassing, ensuring eligible votes aren't lost to technicalities. And critically, it shields voter privacy by blocking disclosure of Social Security numbers, birthdates, and photos to federal agencies without court orders. Conclusion H.B. 1246 balances election integrity with voter protection. It deters intimidation, holds officials accountable, prevents federal interference at polling places, and ensures votes count fairly. North Carolina voters deserve confidence that elections are conducted fairly and that their rights and privacy are protected. I urge you to support this vital legislation.