8 N.C. Admin. Code 2.0114
Current through Register Vol. 39, No. 9, November 1, 2024
Section 02 .0114 - DISMISSAL OF IMPROPER PROTEST FILINGS(a) The county board of elections shall dismiss any matter purporting to arise as an election protest under G.S. 163-182.9 on the following bases: (1) The matter fails to contest the manner in which votes were counted or results tabulated, or fails to allege a violation of election law or irregularity or misconduct sufficient to cast doubt on the results of the election;(2) The individual submitting the matter was neither a registered voter eligible to participate in the protested contest within the county nor a candidate for nomination or election in the protested contest;(3) The matter was not filed in accordance with G.S. 163-182.9 or was not filed on the form prescribed in 08 NCAC 02 .0111;(4) The protest is duplicative or was made for the purpose of delay;(5) The protest filing, taking into account the totality of the circumstances, fails to include evidence which, if true, substantiates the probable occurrence of an outcome-determinative defect in the manner in which votes were counted or results tabulated, or the probable occurrence of an outcome-determinative violation of election law, irregularity, or misconduct; or(6) The matter, including the initial filing and all subsequent oral or written submissions, fails to allege facts sufficient to constitute substantial evidence of the occurrence of an outcome-determinative violation of election law, irregularity, or misconduct. The State Board may consider protests in accordance with G.S. 163-182.12.
(b) If the matter is filed with a county board of elections, the county director of elections shall review the allegations and evidence presented in or attached to the filing. If the director of elections finds that the filing must be dismissed pursuant to Paragraph (a) of this Rule, the director shall transmit his or her administrative recommendation that the matter be dismissed, citing applicable defects and the requirements of this Rule. The director's administrative recommendation shall be transmitted in writing to the county board members and the executive director of the State Board no later than two business days after the matter was filed. The director of elections shall confirm that the county board members have received all filings and the director's administrative recommendation before proceeding to issue a notice of dismissal. Nothing in this Paragraph shall delay the county board of elections in proceeding to consider the protest as required under . G.S. 163-182.10. If, after two calendar days following the transmission required under this Paragraph, neither a county board member nor the executive director of the State Board has raised any oral or written objection to the county director's recommendation for administrative dismissal, the county director shall issue a written notice of administrative dismissal to the individual(s) who has filed the matter. The notice shall: (1) Be sent by certified mail or commercial courier such that the date of delivery may be verified, unless the recipient has agreed in writing to receive notice by electronic means;(2) State that the matter was provided to the county board of elections members, but will not be heard by the county board;(3) State that the matter has been dismissed administratively, citing this rule and all applicable bases listed in Paragraph (b) of this Rule; and(4) Enclose an appeal form required under Paragraph (d) of this Rule. If within two calendar days, any county board member or the executive director of the State Board raises any oral or written objection to the recommendation for administrative dismissal by the county director, the county board of elections shall proceed to hear the matter. An objection raised under this Subparagraph shall in no way affect or limit the county board of elections' authority to dismiss the matter under Paragraph (b) of this Rule or any other basis permitted by law.
(c) Individuals subject to an administrative dismissal entered by the director of elections may appeal the decision to the executive director of the State Board. All appeals brought under this Paragraph shall be in writing on a form prescribed under this Paragraph (available at ncsbe.gov) and must be received by the State Board office no later than five business days after receipt of the written notice of administrative dismissal from the county director. The State Board shall be deemed to have received the written appeal when it receives the physical form required under this Paragraph either by U.S. mail, courier service, or hand delivery. All appeals shall be made on a form that includes the following statements: (1) I am appealing from an administrative dismissal of a matter that I filed at the [county name] Board of Elections on [date].(2) I received an administrative notice of dismissal on [date].(3) I have enclosed a copy of my original materials filed with the county board of elections. ____ YES ____ NO
(4) I have enclosed a copy of the written notice of administrative dismissal. ____ YES ____ NO
(5) This matter should be heard for the following reasons: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(6) I request notice of any action on this appeal at the following address: Mailing Address: _______________________________
Phone Number: _______________________________
Email Address: _______________________________
(d) The executive director of the State Board shall inspect all appeals filed under Paragraph (c) of this Rule. Within two business days after the receipt of an appeal, the executive director shall transmit a copy of the appeal to the State Board members along with a written statement indicating the executive director's administrative determination either to grant or to deny the appeal. (1) If the executive director's administrative determination is to grant the appeal, the executive director shall issue written notice to the county board of elections and to the appealing party indicating that the matter is remanded to the county board of elections for a hearing. The executive director's administrative determination under this Subparagraph shall in no way affect the county board of elections' authority to dismiss the matter under Paragraph (a) of this Rule or any other basis permitted by law.(2) If the executive director's administrative determination is to deny the appeal, but any State Board member raises any oral or written objection within three calendar days, the executive director shall grant the appeal, issue a written notice, and remand the matter to the county board of elections. If no State Board member raises any oral or written objection within three calendar days, the executive director shall issue a written notice to the appealing party and to the county board of elections stating that the appeal is denied. Dismissal under this Subparagraph shall be considered a final agency action for purposes of seeking judicial review.(e) If the matter is filed with the State Board, the executive director of the State Board shall proceed in a manner outlined in Paragraph (b) of this Rule, including distribution to the State Board members, the opportunity to interpose an objection, and the issuance of notice, except that there shall be no right of appeal under Paragraph (c) of this Rule and that the executive director may administratively remand the matter for hearing by the county board of elections in the manner prescribed under Subparagraph (d) of this Rule.08 N.C. Admin. Code 02 .0114
Authority G.S. 163-22; 163-182.12;
Eff. October 1, 2018;
Amended Eff. November 1, 2020.Adopted by North Carolina Register Volume 33, Issue 09, November 1, 2018 effective 10/1/2018.