North Carolina advances more voter suppression measures

Key Points:

• A North Carolina Senate committee advanced a GOP-backed bill introducing new voter suppression measures, including easier voter roll purges and stricter registration requirements, along with reducing early voting days for primaries, runoffs, and special elections from 17 to 10.
• The bill excludes a previously proposed ban on election officials encouraging voter turnout after Democratic opposition, and it mandates weekly removal of deceased voters and requires post-election audits by the State Auditor.
• Republicans argue the early voting reduction eases administrative burdens, while Democrats warn it could negatively impact important primary election outcomes; the reduction does not affect general elections.
• The bill requires the DMV to provide full Social Security numbers to the State Board of Elections for more accurate voter roll maintenance, a provision opposed by Democrats citing privacy concerns.
• The North Carolina Senate passed the bill 28-13 along party lines, sending it back to the House; Governor Josh Stein has indicated he will likely veto the measure, and it remains uncertain if Republicans can override the veto.