Senate Bill 556 would change North Carolina’s electioneering buffer-zone law around polling places. Under current law, county boards of elections must generally set the buffer zone at 50 feet from the entrance door, with a maximum of 50 feet and a minimum of 25 feet. This bill would increase those limits so that county boards would generally set the zone at 100 feet, with a maximum of 100 feet and a minimum of 75 feet, measured from the voting place entrance when the door is closed.
The bill continues to prohibit election-related activity inside the voting place and within the buffer zone, including hindering access, harassing others, distributing campaign literature, placing political advertising, and soliciting votes. The change would apply prospectively to election-related activity occurring on or after the date the act becomes law.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would amend G.S. 163-166.4(a) in North Carolina’s election code by expanding the allowable distance for polling-place buffer zones. County boards of elections would be required to set larger no-electioneering zones around voting places, which would affect campaign activity, voter outreach, and enforcement at polling locations statewide. The bill would not change the types of conduct prohibited in the buffer zone, only the size of the zone itself.
Sentiment
No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of support or opposition in the available materials. Based on the bill text alone, the measure appears to be a straightforward election-administration change focused on increasing separation between voters and election-related activity near polling places.
Contention
The main point of contention is likely to be the larger buffer zone itself. Supporters may view the expansion as a way to reduce congestion, harassment, and pressure near polling places and to protect voter access and election integrity. Opponents may argue that the larger zone restricts speech and campaign activity too broadly, limiting lawful political expression and voter contact near polling locations. The bill also leaves county boards with some discretion, but within a much wider required range than current law.
Revised for 1st substitute: Concerning prohibitions on electioneering within buildings containing the division of elections for county auditor offices, including any adjacent county owned and operated parking lots routinely used for parking at the buildings.