Federal Judge Leaves North Carolina's New Absentee Ballot Rules in Effect

RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina's revised absentee-ballot requirements remain in force after a federal judge declined to temporarily block them, leaving voters and county election offices to follow the current procedures during the final weeks before the November 3 election.

U.S. District Judge Thomas D. Schroeder denied a request for a preliminary injunction in a lawsuit challenging the State Board of Elections' September 4 changes. The plaintiffs include voting-rights organizations and individual voters. Election boards in Guilford and Durham counties are among the defendants, making the litigation relevant to voters in the Triad as well as elsewhere in North Carolina.

The dispute involves how absentee ballots are packaged and reviewed, including envelope-sealing requirements and signature verification. Under the challenged procedures, certain envelope problems mean that an absentee ballot cannot be accepted as submitted. Election officials instead must use the applicable replacement-ballot process. That can add steps for a voter who believed a ballot was already complete.

Groups challenging the rules argue that additional technical requirements could prevent eligible voters from having their ballots counted, particularly when the election is close and there is limited time to resolve a problem. The state election authorities, meanwhile, have a responsibility to administer the rules currently in effect. The judge's ruling leaves those procedures in place while the lawsuit continues.

In declining immediate relief, the court found that the plaintiffs had not demonstrated the likelihood of success required for a preliminary injunction. The judge also considered the timing of the challenge and the election process already underway. The decision should not be confused with a final trial judgment deciding every legal issue raised in the case.

For voters, the practical question is how to avoid a preventable ballot problem. Anyone using an absentee ballot should read every instruction included with the ballot packet, complete all required signatures and envelope steps, and return materials according to official deadlines. A voter who receives notice that a ballot has a defect should contact the county board of elections immediately to learn what options remain.

Voters should also confirm whether in-person early voting or Election Day voting is available to them rather than relying on informal advice. Deadlines, identification rules and correction procedures can vary by circumstance, so official county and state election offices are the appropriate sources for individual guidance.

The court case may produce additional orders, but no future change should be assumed. TTN News will continue to track court filings and guidance from election administrators as the November 3 vote approaches.

Source: NC Newsline reporting on the federal ruling, October 20, 2026.