Contentious blueprint suggests that certain North Carolina voters must repeatedly submit provisional ballots, sparking controversy within the Board of Elections
In the heart of North Carolina, the issue of Sunday voting has become a contentious topic, with members of the Davidson Board divided on its merits. Brenda Clark, a board member, advocates for Sunday voting, rooted in her beliefs of equity, fairness, and accessibility.
However, the final decision on early voting schedules lies with the State Board, which steps in when a local board cannot reach a unanimous decision. Jeff Carmon, a Democrat on the State Board, consistently votes in favour of Sunday voting.
In contrast, Richard Johnson, who represented the majority on the Davidson Board, opposes Sunday voting due to concerns over low turnout and expenses. A minority on the Davidson election board had previously proposed keeping the polls open one Sunday during the early voting period.
Interestingly, the State Board has yet to discuss whether it will feed voter information into the federal SAVE database, a system used for immigration and citizenship status checks. The NC Board of Elections voted on this matter on July 21, 2025, but no information is available about a potential inquiry regarding the system and the collection of voter information, including the last four digits of social security numbers.
The NC Board of Elections' plan to collect missing information is in response to a lawsuit by President Donald Trump's Department of Justice over missing information in the voter rolls. This plan involves requiring voters who do not have a driver's license number or partial Social Security number connected to their name to cast provisional ballots.
These ballots will be kept separate from regular ballots. Voters who do not have the necessary identifiers connected to their names will also need to show an acceptable picture ID or document showing their residence when they vote.
The burden of this plan may disproportionately fall on women who change their names after they marry but don't notify the Social Security Administration. It's essential to note that voters' selections in federal races will count no matter what, but votes in local and state races could be thrown out in some circumstances.
Mail ballots are an option for people who can't vote in person, providing another avenue for voters to exercise their democratic rights. Davidson had Sunday voting in previous elections, adding to the debate's complexity.
The Department of Homeland Security has asked the NC Board of Elections to participate in a "soft launch" that allows states to submit voter information for immigration and citizenship status checks. This request adds another layer to the ongoing discussion about voter privacy and security.
The NC Board of Elections currently has a Republican majority, which could influence the final decision on Sunday voting and the use of the federal SAVE database. As the debate continues, it's crucial to maintain a focus on fairness, accessibility, and the protection of voter rights.
