N.C. Absentee Ballot Access Measure Getting Senate Debate

A second North Carolina General Assembly chamber is pushing ahead with legislation designed to help voters access absentee balloting should COVID-19 make in-person voting risky for them. The Senate elections committee scheduled debate on Tuesday for legislation prompted by the expectation of increased demand for mail-in ballots this fall due to the new coronavirus. The House version of the measure approved last week expands options for registered voters to receive absentee ballot request forms. There's also money for security upgrades, as well as personal protective equipment and pay for poll workers at in-person voting sites that will still be open.