Stop Unfunded Election Mandates and Foreign Influence in H958 (v5)

Please vote against H958 (v5). The bill contains multiple provisions that will reduce voter access, shift unfunded costs to county Boards of Elections, and create a loophole allowing foreign influence in referendums. Key objections: Unfunded mandates: New verification, audit, reporting, IT, and procedural requirements will force counties to hire staff, upgrade systems, and absorb legal costs without appropriations, likely reducing early‑voting sites, increasing lines, slowing ballot processing, and raising rejection rates. Stricter absentee/provisional rules: Tighter cure procedures, narrower acceptable documentation, and stricter envelope/ballot handling increase the risk that valid ballots will be rejected and impose significant administrative burdens on local election offices. Harm to overseas and military voters: Shorter cure windows, stricter attestations, and limited cure methods make it far harder for service members and citizens abroad to receive notices and submit timely fixes given postal delays and limited connectivity; this effectively risks disenfranchising them. Foreign‑ownership loophole: The bill’s definition allowing U.S. entities majority‑owned by foreign nationals to spend on referendums so long as funds are “generated” in the U.S. and approved by U.S. persons (except budget setting) permits foreign principals to retain effective control and influence while technically complying with the statute. Fixes needed before enactment: Withdraw or fully fund new mandates for county Boards of Elections (dedicated appropriations and technical support). Loosen cure deadlines and add explicit accommodations and expedited procedures for overseas and military voters. Tighten the foreign‑ownership language to bar contributions/expenditures by entities subject to foreign ownership, control, or funding regardless of where funds are nominally generated; require disclosure of ultimate beneficial owners and funding sources. Remove the “budget‑setting” carve‑out that permits foreign principals to direct spending indirectly. For the sake of election integrity and voter access across North Carolina — including our military and overseas citizens — please oppose H958 (v5) unless these changes are made. Thank you for your attention.