Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 28, 2021
CONTACT: press@secure-democracy.org
NEW POLL: Bipartisan Support for Expanded Voter Access, Enhanced Accountability in North Carolina Elections
Vast majority of North Carolina voters report a good experience voting in 2020, oppose new voting restrictions
RALEIGH, N.C.— Ninety-six percent of North Carolina voters reported a good personal experience voting in the 2020 election, and 67% feel their local county board of elections handled voting well, according to a new statewide poll released today by Secure Democracy and administered by Strategic Partners Solutions. The poll found widespread support for policies that expand voting access, with 71% of voters in favor of increasing the days and hours for in person early voting and 67% of voters in favor of having an opportunity to fix an error on their ballot so they can have it counted.
North Carolina voters also oppose policy changes that would limit voting access. Seven in 10 voters oppose limiting opportunities to vote early in person. Sixty-five percent of voters oppose proposals to throw away ballots received after 5:00 p.m. on Election Day, even if they were mailed prior to Election Day.
“Nearly 8 in 10 Republican voters in North Carolina voted early or by mail in the 2020 election,” said Sarah Walker, executive director of Secure Democracy. “Bills like S.B. 326 would make voting more inconvenient and more inaccessible for thousands of voters throughout the state — especially veterans and older voters. Our research is clear: North Carolina voters are confident in their elections. Lawmakers should listen to voters and focus on improving voting access through popular, common sense reforms, like expanding early voting.”
"When it comes to the voting process, North Carolinians favor more access to early voting opportunities and more accountability," said Paul Shumaker of Strategic Partners Solutions. "Establishing an electronic ballot tracking system was strongly supported by all voting groups, as well as requiring election officials to contact a voter before canceling their registration.”
The research comes as North Carolina lawmakers consider several bills that would restrict voting access in the state. S.B. 326 would require counties to throw out tens of thousands of absentee ballots that arrive after 5:00 p.m. on Election Day, even if they were mailed well in advance. It would also establish one of the earliest absentee request deadlines in the country, barring voters from requesting their mail ballots in the two weeks before Election Day.
Among the poll’s key findings, there is bipartisan support across North Carolina for:
Allowing family members, caregivers, and household members to assist someone in filing their ballot. 78% of all voters support; 69% of Republican voters support.
Increasing the number of days and hours for in person early voting. 71% of all voters support; 56% of Republican voters support.
Providing voters with an opportunity to fix an error so they can have their ballot counted. 67% of all voters support; 55% of Republican voters support.
Requiring election officials to contact a voter before cancelling their voter registration. 76% of all voters support; 69% of Republican voters support.
Establishing an electronic ballot tracking system that allows voters to know the status of their mail-in ballot. 82% of all voters support; 77% of Republican voters support.
Establishing a non-partisan and independent commission to draw congressional and state legislative district lines. 64% of all voters support; 54% of Republican voters support.
North Carolina voters overwhelmingly oppose the following restrictions:
Limiting opportunities for voters to vote early in person. 70% of all voters oppose; 61% of Republican voters oppose.
Throwing away mail ballots received after 5:00 p.m. on Election Day, even if they were mailed before Election Day. 65% of all voters oppose; 49% of Republican voters oppose.
Commissioned by Secure Democracy, the survey of 1,030 likely voters in North Carolina was administered via live callers from April 18 through April 20, 2021.
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About Secure Democracy
Secure Democracy is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that works to improve election integrity across the United States. We educate policymakers and the public about what it takes to safeguard our voting systems. We collaborate with state leaders, election administrators, election integrity experts, and allies to ensure that all eligible citizens have the freedom to vote how they choose.