GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

1985 SESSION

 

 

CHAPTER 562

HOUSE BILL 274

 

AN ACT TO REMOVE THE REQUIREMENT THAT ABSENTEE BALLOTS FROM OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES NEED TO BE NOTARIZED.

 

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

 

Section 1.  G.S. 163-231(a) is amended by adding the following at the end:

"In the case of registered voters who are residents of North Carolina but temporarily outside of the United States, the procedure of subsection (a1) of this section may be followed in lieu of the procedure of this subsection."

Sec. 2.  G.S. 163-231 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:

"(a1)    Procedure for Voting Absentee Ballots. - The voter shall:

(1)       Mark his ballots; (2)       Fold each ballot separately; (3)       Place the folded ballots in the container-return envelope and securely seal it; and

(4)       Make the certificate printed on the container- return envelope according to the provisions of G.S. 163-229(b).

When thus executed, the sealed container-return envelope, with the ballots enclosed, shall be transmitted in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this section to the chairman of the county board of elections who issued the ballots.

This subsection applies only to registered voters who are residents of North Carolina but who are temporarily outside of the United States."

Sec. 3.  G.S. 163-229(b)(2) is amended by deleting the note at the bottom of the subdivision and substituting the following:

"If you are a resident of North Carolina who is residing temporarily outside the United States, you do not have to have this affidavit or certificate signed by an officer administering an oath. Instead, check the box below and sign the following certification.

@ I am a resident of North Carolina but residing temporarily outside the United States. I certify that I made application for absentee ballots, and that I marked the ballots enclosed herein. I understand it is a felony to falsely sign this certificate.

 ______________________ (signature of voter)"

Sec. 4.  G.S. 163-229(b)(2) is amended by deleting "Affidavit" and substituting "Affidavit or Certificate".

Sec. 5.  G.S. 163-275 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:

"(16)   For any person falsely to make the certificate provided by G.S. 163-229(b)(2)."

Sec. 6.  G.S. 163-237(b) is amended by deleting "If any person" and substituting "Except as provided by G.S. 163-275(16), if any person".

Sec. 7.  This act shall become effective with respect to all elections held on or after January 1, 1986.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified, this the 2nd day of July, 1985.