Governor Josh Stein Vetoes H958 Citing Unconstitutional Voter Registration Restrictions

RALEIGH, NC — North Carolina Governor Josh Stein delivered his official veto message to the General Assembly regarding House Bill 958, rejecting an omnibus election statute that proposed sweeping changes to absentee ballot deadlines, signature verification procedures, and private mass voter eligibility challenge processes.

Protecting Access to the Ballot Box for Rural and Military Voters

In his veto statement, Governor Stein emphasized that House Bill 958 would disenfranchise lawful overseas military service members, college students, and rural voters by eliminating the three-day post-election grace period for postmarked mail-in ballots and establishing automated private third-party voter challenge mechanisms without adequate due process protections. Governor Stein affirmed that North Carolina's election system must remain secure, accessible, and fair to every eligible citizen.

Governor Stein declared that voting is the cornerstone of democracy, pledging to veto any legislative measure that creates unnecessary partisan barriers to the ballot box.

Civil Rights Coalitions and Legislative Leadership Stance

Democracy North Carolina and the NAACP State Conference praised the veto, warning that automated voter roll purges violate the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA).

General Assembly legislative leadership indicated they will schedule an override vote during the upcoming fall legislative session.

Veto Transmission

House Bill 958 returns to the North Carolina House of Representatives for procedural consideration.