08 NCAC 06B .0101. GENERAL BALLOT GUIDELINES

(a)  All ballots cast in elections, primaries, and referenda shall be printed and distributed at the public expense of the county or local jurisdiction for which the election is conducted.

(b)  Ballots shall be arranged in the order certified to the county board of elections by the State Board of Elections.

(c)  Ballots shall be printed in plain clear type, of such size and arrangement as to fit the construction of the voting system or size of the ballot.

(d)  The ballot shall be printed with contrasting type and background so that it can be easily viewed by the voter and material of different colors to identify different ballots may be used.  In primary elections, ballots of different colors may be used to distinguish a political party's ballot if practicable.  Composition and color of ballots shall be subject to approval by the Executive Director of the State Board of Elections.

(e)  The State Board of Elections shall review for accuracy the ballot content, arrangement and instructions to voters and approve all ballots to be used in each official election. The primary responsibility for proofing the ballot lies with the county board of elections.  Ballots are to be submitted to the State Board of Elections as soon as practicable but not later than five days following the certification of ballot items. When related litigation is pending that delays certification of ballot information, the State Board of Elections shall certify ballot information in as timely a manner as possible.

(f)  The responsible board of elections shall prepare ballots in a number equal to 100% of the number of registered voters in the primary or election and shall furnish each precinct voting place with each kind of ballot to be voted in the primary or election in a number equal to at least 70% of the number of persons registered to vote in the primary or election in the precinct, keeping the balance in reserve in such a manner that is secured yet easily accessible if needed. If a second primary or runoff election is necessary, the responsible board of elections shall prepare and fully distribute, without a reservation, ballots in a number equal to at least twice the number of ballots issued for that particular race in the first primary or election but in no case more than a number equal to 100% of the number of registered voters in the primary or election.

 

History Note:        Authority G.S. 163-22; 163-165.3; 163-165.4;

Temporary Adoption Eff. April 15, 2002;

Eff. August 1, 2004.