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Bill Summary · SB 994

Summary: SB 994 (2025 Session) — Early Voting Procedures at Fire Stations

Purpose

This bill requires that certain operational provisions be in place when early voting occurs at fire stations in North Carolina. The overarching goal is to ensure safety, accessibility, and functional support for voters and staff at fire-station voting sites.

Key Provisions

  • New subsection added to statute (G.S. 163-166.35(d1)) governing early voting at fire stations:
    • The county boards of elections must provide:
    • Traffic control measures at the voting site.
    • Security and physical safeguards for county board staff and officials, voters, and fire station staff at the site.
    • Phone support for voters needing assistance with election-related matters.
    • Adequate signage on election day for voters if the same fire station will not be a voting place on election day.
    • Indemnification and hold harmless provisions for the fire station against claims for damages to voters or property arising from use of the fire station as a voting place during the voting process.
    • Maintenance of service levels for fire stations that are not affected by voting operations, including ensuring accessibility into and out of the facility (entrance and exit accessibility).

Who is Affected

  • County boards of elections: Responsible for implementing the provisions above when early voting is held at fire stations.
  • Fire stations: Serve as early voting sites under this provision and would receive legal and operational safeguards (traffic control, security, indemnification, accessibility assurances).
  • Voters using fire station sites for early voting: Would benefit from enhanced traffic management, security, clearer information, and continued accessibility.

Effective Date and Scope

  • Effective date: The act becomes law upon enactment and applies to elections occurring on or after that date.
  • Scope: Applies specifically to early voting conducted at fire station facilities; does not necessarily apply to other early voting locations unless amended by other provisions.

Procedural/Timeline Notes

  • The bill was filed in the Senate on April 30, 2026.
  • Primary sponsors: Senators Johnson, Settle, and Moffitt (with Settle and Moffitt as co-sponsors).
  • The text specifies the provisions apply to elections after the law takes effect, aligning with the general election cycle and early voting periods.

Practical Impact

  • Establishes formal requirements for safety, security, and voter assistance at fire-station voting sites.
  • Introduces indemnification protections for fire stations hosting voting, potentially addressing liability concerns.
  • Improves voter experience through traffic management, signage, and access-related assurances.
  • Creates obligations for election officials to coordinate with fire stations to maintain service levels and accessibility during voting operations.

If you’d like, I can compare SB 994 to current law or provide a brief FAQ-style explainer for voters and local election workers.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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