“A successful election requires more than ballots and machines—it requires enough trained people to do the job well.”— Ken Cuccinelli, National Chairman, Election Transparency Initiative
ETI backs early voting proposals: Lawmakers consider reforms to North Carolina’s lengthy early voting period as Election officials face mounting staffing challenges and rising costs.
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Arlington, VA — June 19, 2026 —The Election Transparency Initiative (ETI) today expressed support for ongoing efforts in the North Carolina General Assembly to modernize and streamline the state’s early voting period while preserving multiple convenient voting options for eligible voters.
Lawmakers are currently considering several proposals, including Senate Bill 1084, House Bill 411, and House Bill 66, that would reduce North Carolina’s current 17-day early voting period. The proposals vary in scope, but all seek to address concerns raised by election officials regarding staffing, administrative demands, and the costs associated with maintaining nearly three weeks of in-person voting.
“North Carolina voters deserve convenient access to the ballot, but election officials deserve a system they can realistically administer,” said Ken Cuccinelli, National Chairman of the Election Transparency Initiative. “When counties are required to staff polling locations for more than two weeks before Election Day, taxpayers bear the cost and election administrators bear the burden. A shorter early voting period can preserve voter access while improving efficiency and reducing opportunities for mistakes.”
North Carolina already offers voters multiple ways to participate in elections, including absentee voting by mail, in-person early voting, and Election Day voting. ETI argues that maintaining a 17-day voting period provides diminishing returns while significantly increasing the demands placed on county election offices.
Jim Womack, CEO of the North Carolina Election Integrity Team, told ETI that North Carolina’s 17-day early voting period is both costly and unnecessary. “Most voters cast their ballots closer to Election Day. Senate Bill 1084 would reduce early voting to a more reasonable 10 days, saving taxpayers millions while preserving ample opportunities to vote.”
Election officials across the state have cited persistent challenges recruiting poll workers, securing adequate staffing, managing voting sites, and covering the expenses associated with an extended voting schedule. Those challenges are particularly acute in smaller counties with limited personnel and resources.
“Longer voting periods mean higher costs and fewer available workers,” said Cuccinelli,
“The question is not whether voters should have opportunities to vote early,” he continued. “The question is whether North Carolina needs more than two weeks of in-person voting before Election Day when voters already have multiple options available. Election laws should reflect how people actually vote and how elections are actually administered.”
The national election data consistently show that early voting participation surges in the final days of the voting period, indicating that much of the extended schedule is used comparatively lightly while incurring unnecessary staffing and operational costs.
ETI noted that election policy should balance voter convenience with responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources and the practical realities facing hard-working election administrators.
“Protecting voter access and improving election administration are not competing goals,” Cuccinelli said. “North Carolina can do both. A reasonable early voting period, combined with absentee voting and Election Day voting, provides ample opportunity for every eligible voter to participate while making elections easier to administer and less costly to taxpayers.”
ETI encourages lawmakers to continue pursuing election reforms that strengthen transparency, accountability, efficiency, and public confidence in the electoral process.
For more information on the legislation:
- Senate Bill 1084: https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/S1084 (favored by NCEIT)
- House Bill 411: https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H411
• House Bill 66: https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H66
Media Availability
Ken Cuccinelli is available for television, radio, podcast, and print interviews regarding this and other election related issues.
Members of the media may submit interview requests at:
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About the Election Transparency Initiative
ETI works nationwide to advance commonsense election reforms that protect the integrity of the vote and strengthen public trust in election outcomes by enhancing transparency, accountability, and confidence in American elections. Ken Cuccinelli serves as National Chairman of ETI. He previously served as Acting Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and as Attorney General of Virginia.
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