Bill > H1169

This bill, the Bipartisan Elections Act of 2020, makes several changes to North Carolina's election laws for the 2020 election. The key provisions include: - Allowing absentee ballots cast in 2020 to be accepted if witnessed by at least one adult, rather than the usual two adult witnesses. The State Board of Elections can also modify the absentee ballot return envelope to accommodate this change. - Allowing county boards of elections to appoint precinct assistants and judges who are registered voters from other precincts in the same county, if there are not enough residents from that precinct to fill the roles. - Authorizing multipartisan teams trained by the county boards to assist voters in completing absentee ballot request forms and serving as witnesses for absentee ballot casting. - Permitting voters to submit absentee ballot requests online through a secure State Board of Elections website, in addition to the existing written request process. - Prohibiting the State Board or county boards from sending unrequested absentee ballots, and making it a felony to do so. - Appropriating state and federal funds to the State Board of Elections to assist counties with election costs and security measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill aims to provide flexibility and additional safeguards for North Carolina's 2020 elections during the public health crisis.