North CarolinaHB 8342025-2026 SessionHouse

AN ACT TO REQUIRE EACH PERSON SEEKING A HUNTING OR FISHING LICENSE IN THIS STATE BE OFFERED AN OPPORTUNITY TO REGISTER TO VOTE AND TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ORGAN DONOR REGISTRY.

Sponsored By: Jonathan L. Almond (Republican), Cody Huneycutt (Republican), Neal Jackson (Republican)

Signed by Governor

ANIMALSBOARDSCOMMISSIONSCOUNTIESCOURTSDEATH & DYINGDMVDRIVERS LICENSESELECTIONSELECTIONS BOARDSELECTIONS, STATE BOARD OFENVIRONMENTFISH & WILDLIFEHEALTH SERVICESHUMAN BLOOD & ORGANSHUNTING & FISHINGID SYSTEMSLICENSES & PERMITSLOCAL GOVERNMENTMORATORIUMSMOTOR VEHICLESORGAN DONATIONSPRESENTEDPUBLICPUBLIC HEALTHPUBLIC OFFICIALSRATIFIEDTITLE CHANGETRANSPORTATION DEPT

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

Easier fixes for absentee envelope errors

If your absentee envelope has a curable problem, the county must notify you by mail and by phone or email (if provided) by the next business day after review. You can send cure documents by 12:00 P.M. on the fifth business day after the election. If your issue is a missing photo ID copy, you may email the copy to the county board.

More time to fix voting mistakes

You get more time to fix common registration and voting mistakes. If your registration form was missing info, you can complete it by 12:00 P.M. on the fifth business day after the election. If your driver’s license or Social Security number did not match, you can show acceptable ID by that same deadline. If you lacked photo ID at the poll, you can cast a provisional ballot and bring acceptable ID to the county board by 12:00 P.M. on the fifth business day after the election. If your provisional affidavit missed your signature, the board must notify you by the next business day after review, and you can sign by 12:00 P.M. on the fifth business day after the election. County boards must count qualifying provisional ballots by the fifth business day after the election, and some voters who moved within the county can vote a regular early ballot when the site can verify their registration and correct ballot.

Online portal for visually impaired voters

Beginning January 1, 2027, if you are visually impaired and requested an accessible absentee ballot, you may submit your completed ballot through an accessible online portal. This applies only to visually impaired voters who asked for an accessible ballot.

Stricter absentee delivery rules starting 2027

Beginning January 1, 2027, “in person” delivery means the voter, a near relative, or a legal guardian hands the ballot to an election official at the county office or an early voting site. Drop boxes do not count. If someone other than the voter delivers it, they must sign an affidavit under penalty of perjury saying how they are allowed to return it. Ballots handed in at early voting sites must be kept secure there and then delivered by site officials to the county board. Only ballots sent in the exact ways allowed by state or federal law are counted. The State Board must set uniform rules and a single affidavit form that all counties use.

New vote counting schedules and security

County boards must set and publish the time and place for initial counts between 9:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., and publish the notice once a week for two weeks before the election. Boards may do setup work early but cannot reveal any results before polls close, and it is illegal to knowingly reveal results early. Boards may meet after election day to count some absentee ballots if they passed a resolution. The absentee tally must be announced no later than the fifth business day after the election. After early voting ends, boards must lock and secure machines and store paper and electronic records in locked, access‑controlled spaces. In counties using certified voting systems, canvasses rely on machine counts; if a material difference appears, a hand count controls unless paper records are lost or there is a clear reason the hand count is not the true count.

Extended Class C licenses count for ID

If your Class C driver’s license expiration is extended under Section 18 of S.L. 2025‑47, it counts as valid and unexpired for voter photo ID. This temporary rule lasts through December 31, 2027.

Ballot challenges and court review updates

If a voter dies after casting a ballot but before 11:59 P.M. the day before the election and a death challenge is sustained, that ballot is not counted. People seeking court review of a State Board decision can file in Wake County or in their home county.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

Eric Ager
Democratic • House
Jennifer Balkcom
Republican • House
Brian Biggs
Republican • House
Jerry "Alan" Branson
Republican • House
Grant L. Campbell, MD
Republican • House
Todd Carver
Republican • House
Brian Echevarria
Republican • House
Blair Eddins
Republican • House
Zack Hawkins
Democratic • House
Tim Longest
Democratic • House
Jeffrey C. McNeely
Republican • House
Larry W. Potts
Republican • House
Dennis Riddell
Republican • House
Paul Scott
Republican • House
Bill Ward
Republican • House
Harry Warren
Republican • House
Donna McDowell White
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 375 • No: 35

House vote • 8/4/2026

HB 834: State Board of Elections Administrative Changes.

Yes: 74 • No: 35 • Other: 9

Senate vote • 7/28/2026

HB 834: SBOE Administrative Changes.

Yes: 42 • No: 0 • Other: 8

Senate vote • 7/28/2026

HB 834: SBOE Administrative Changes.

Yes: 42 • No: 0 • Other: 8

House vote • 5/14/2025

HB 834: Sportsman's Voter Act.

Yes: 109 • No: 0 • Other: 11