The State Board of Elections has issued an updated Numbered Memo which clarifies an interpretation of N.C.G.S. § 163-45.1(a) with respect to the appointment of observers in nonpartisan elections. The State Board has interpreted the statute as follows for nonpartisan primaries and elections:
- For observers appointed by a political party, the party may appoint observers only when a candidate on the ballot is registered as affiliated with that party.
- For observers appointed by an unaffiliated candidate, a candidate in a nonpartisan contest may appoint observers only if they are registered as unaffiliated with a party.
See Numbered Memo 2023-06 for full details.