North Carolina Auditor Pushes Changes to County Early Voting Plans After 2024 Power Shift
Updated
Updated · NBC News · Jun 29
North Carolina Auditor Pushes Changes to County Early Voting Plans After 2024 Power Shift
2 articles · Updated · NBC News · Jun 29
Summary
Dave Boliek’s office is directly pressing North Carolina counties on November early voting sites and hours, an unusually hands-on role for a state auditor after Republicans moved control of the elections board from the governor in 2024.
County records and public meetings show Boliek’s team requesting added sites in places including Midland in Cabarrus County and Liberty in Randolph County, while arguing it wants geographically diverse access and shorter drive times.
Jackson County board member Jay Pavey said pressure tied to the auditor’s office targeted a proposed Western Carolina University site and threatened his board seat; Boliek denied staff spoke to him but said he favored another location.
Democrats and voting-rights advocates say the intervention exceeds the auditor’s legal authority and could aid Republicans in a battleground state, while Boliek says the law allows contact with his appointees and calls the backlash partisan.
Early voting locations can shape turnout, and unresolved county disputes can still be sent to the State Board of Elections for a final decision.