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North Carolina Democrats have introduced the Voter Protection and Reliance Act in response to ProPublica’s reporting on efforts by right-wing activists to disallow ballots based on postelection rule changes. The bill aims to prevent votes from being tossed out due to technical errors in voter registrations and ensures that ballots will be counted based on the laws and procedures in place on Election Day.

ProPublica’s investigation revealed discussions among North Carolina activists and members of the Election Integrity Network, a group associated with President Donald Trump’s campaign, about filing protests to challenge incomplete voter registrations before the 2024 election. Republican Court of Appeals Judge Jefferson Griffin later used this strategy to challenge his loss in the Supreme Court race.

The bill, authored by Democratic House member Phil Rubin, seeks to prevent similar abuses in the future and require candidates to act in the best interest of voters. It also mandates expedited litigation of election-related issues to resolve disputes before elections rather than after.

The recent ruling by the Republican-majority North Carolina Court of Appeals to discount around 60,000 ballots in the Supreme Court race has raised concerns about the exclusion of Democratic and minority voters. Data analyses have shown that Griffin’s challenges disproportionately affect these groups, potentially impacting election results.

While some Republicans have criticized Griffin’s challenges, the Democratic-sponsored bill faces uncertain prospects in the GOP-controlled legislature. Despite this, Rubin believes the bill could serve as a model for other states facing similar issues with election integrity.

The Election Integrity Network, with chapters in swing states and partnerships with national conservative organizations, has been at the center of these controversies. The leader of the North Carolina chapter did not respond to requests for comment on the bill.

Overall, the Voter Protection and Reliance Act represents a proactive approach to safeguarding the integrity of elections and ensuring that all votes are counted fairly in North Carolina.