FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RALEIGH, NC — The North Carolina Forward Party strongly opposes House Bill 825, titled “Election Improvements,” introduced by Representative Echevarria. Despite its name, this bill does not improve our elections — it undermines them. By banning ranked choice voting (RCV), shortening the early voting period, and amending absentee ballot ID rules, this legislation moves North Carolina further from a fair, accessible, and representative democracy.
One of the most alarming provisions of HB 825 is its blanket ban on ranked choice voting (RCV) — described in the bill itself as “a method that allows a voter the option to rank candidates for office in the voter's order of preference.” Let’s be clear: that is the entire substance of what this bill seeks to ban.
RCV has been used successfully across the country to encourage broader participation, reduce negative campaigning, and ensure that winners have broad consensus support. Targeting a voting method simply because it allows voters to express their preferences more fully is deeply problematic. The attempt to prohibit this approach outright is arbitrary and capricious. Instead of stifling innovation in how we elect our leaders, North Carolina should be embracing alternatives like RCV to better reflect the will of the people.
“There is no justification for reducing voter choice—except fear of voters,” said Lennie Friedman, Advisory Board Member at Rank the Vote, responding to the NC House’s introduction of a bill to ban ranked choice voting statewide on social media. “Over 16 million Americans use RCV, and Republican VA Gov. Glenn Youngkin was elected via RCV in the GOP primary. This isn’t about fairness. It’s about fear—and we deserve better.”
The bill also seeks to reduce North Carolina’s early voting period by one week. Early voting in North Carolina has consistently demonstrated its value by accommodating the diverse schedules of voters, thereby enhancing overall participation in the democratic process. The flexibility of early voting allows citizens to cast their ballots at convenient times, reducing the burden on Election Day polling places and minimizing wait times. This accessibility is particularly beneficial for individuals with demanding work commitments, family responsibilities, or other constraints that might prevent them from voting on a single designated day.
The popularity of early voting among North Carolinians is evident in recent turnout figures. In the 2024 general election, over 4.2 million voters cast their ballots at early in-person voting sites, surpassing the previous record set in 2020. Including absentee ballots, a total of 4,465,548 voters—representing 57% of the state's registered voters—had voted by the Sunday before Election Day.
These statistics underscore the critical role early voting plays in facilitating voter engagement and ensuring that all citizens have the opportunity to participate in elections. Reducing the early voting period would not only inconvenience countless voters but also risk disenfranchising those who rely on this flexibility to make their voices heard.
As Joshua Peters, Policy Committee Chair of the North Carolina Forward Party, emphasizes:
“Early voting has become an integral part of our state's electoral process, reflecting the needs and preferences of our citizens. The record-breaking participation we've seen is a testament to its importance.”
House Bill 825 undermines our democratic process by attempting to arbitrarily limit voting options and capriciously shorten voting opportunities. We urge lawmakers and citizens alike to reject this bill and support policies that expand access, choice, and representation in our democracy.