Protect Early Voting Access in North Carolina

As your constituent, I urge you to oppose SB1084/H958 and to resist any efforts to further restrict early voting in North Carolina. Early voting is one of the most widely used and trusted methods of participation in our state. It offers flexibility, reduces long lines on Election Day, and allows voters to resolve registration issues in person. For many North Carolinians, early voting is not just a convenience but a necessity. Fixed schedules, transportation limitations, travel schedules, and health considerations make the expanded access and predictability of early voting essential. I am particularly concerned about H958, which contains provisions that severely curtail early voting access. Section 3.1(c) of H958 limits early voting in special elections to no more than 10 consecutive days, and Section 3.1(d) similarly restricts municipal election early voting to a maximum of 10 consecutive days. These dramatic reductions in voting accessibility—already hard-won through years of effort—would create unnecessary barriers for voters who depend on this option. Recent proposals to reduce early voting availability risk further undermining our election system which is already beset by partisan gerrymandering. Data consistently shows that early voting is popular across party lines and widely relied upon by seniors, working individuals, and rural voters. Limiting early voting days or hours would disproportionately affect those who already face barriers to participation, without offering clear benefits to election integrity or efficiency. Early voting is crucial for accessible and well-administered elections. Maintaining robust early voting options supports this by ensuring that all eligible voters have a fair opportunity to cast their ballots. Changes that restrict access—particularly the sweeping limitations proposed in H958—would move us in the wrong direction and could erode public confidence in the electoral process. As someone who regularly relies on early voting, I ask you to protect this vital option and oppose both SB1084 and the restrictive early voting provisions in H958. Preserving accessible voting methods strengthens our democracy and serves the best interests of all North Carolinians.