A federal judge denies a request to halt North Carolina’s newly approved mail-in ballot restrictions and counting standards, dealing a setback to challenges seeking to reverse Republican-backed changes. The decision comes after the North Carolina State Board of Elections approved revisions earlier this year, with the board saying the updates are aimed at improving aspects of vote-by-mail administration.
According to the outlets, the ruling turns on procedural grounds as well as the timing of the case. One report says the judge sides with Republicans, while the other emphasizes that the plaintiffs filed their challenge too late to obtain an order blocking the changes. Together, the accounts indicate the court does not grant the requested emergency relief, leaving the state’s revised mail-in ballot rules in place unless further litigation produces a different outcome.
