Better security for absentee ballots
We'll find out soon if our lawmakers have learned a voting-fraud lesson from the absentee-ballot scandal that has forced a do-over election in North Carolina's 9th Congressional District. State Rep. Cynthia Ball, a Wake County Democrat, has filed legislation that will shore up our absentee-voting security. It's called the Protect the Integrity of NC Elections Act and it will fund more personnel at the State Board of Elections to conduct investigations and analyze election data. The goal is to create better compliance with election laws and add transparency in the handling of absentee ballot requests.
The elections board's executive director, Kim Strach, said this week that, "We believe House Bill 944 will help prevent, detect and prosecute such illegal activities in the future. We appreciate the legislators' work on this pressing issue."
Fellow Democrat Allison Dahle, also of Wake County, is another prime sponsor of the legislation. But more important is the presence of two Republicans as sponsors as well. That includes Harnett County Rep. David Lewis and Rowan Rep. Harry Warren. Bipartisan support is the key for Rep. Ball's elections reform to pass.
Given the fresh scar of the 9th District experience, we trust lawmakers of both parties and both branches will speed this reform to the governor's desk. It's fundamental medicine that our electoral process needs.