North Carolina
A dated list of changes to how Americans vote: district maps, polling places and drop boxes, voting laws and rules, and courts and election officials. Each entry says who did what and when, shows what became of it, and links to the page it rests on. Attempts that failed are listed as failed. Entries that rest on a news report name the outlet.
This is the state view: events recorded for North Carolina, then national events that apply here. See the national timeline.
In North Carolina
2019
-
Three-judge state court strikes down North Carolina's 2017 House and Senate maps in Common Cause v. Lewis
On September 3, 2019, a three-judge Superior Court panel in Wake County entered judgment in Common Cause v. Lewis, No. 18 CVS 014001. The decree states: "The Court declares that the 2017 House and Senate Plans are unconstitutional and invalid because there is no reasonable doubt each plan violates the rights of Plaintiffs and other Democratic voters under the North Carolina Constitution's Equal Protection Clause ... the Free Elections Clause ... and the Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Assembly Clauses." It permanently enjoined use of the districts in specified House and Senate county groupings in the 2020 elections and directed the General Assembly to redraw them.
Source last checked Oct 21, 2026
-
Report counts 1 fewer polling place in Caswell County in 2018 than in 2012
The Leadership Conference Education Fund, a civil rights coalition, reported in September 2019 that Caswell County had 10 Election Day polling places in the 2012 general election and 9 in 2018, a change of -1 (-10%). The report lists the 2012 count as from a hand count of polling-place lists and the 2018 count as from a hand count of polling-place lists. The report covers counties once covered by Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.
- Democracy Diverted: Polling Place Closures and the Right to Vote (September 2019), Appendix, page 69 ↗ News report, The Leadership Conference Education Fund
Source last checked Oct 24, 2026
-
Report counts 5 fewer polling places in Cleveland County in 2018 than in 2012
The Leadership Conference Education Fund, a civil rights coalition, reported in September 2019 that Cleveland County had 26 Election Day polling places in the 2012 general election and 21 in 2018, a change of -5 (-19%). The report lists the 2012 count as from a hand count of polling-place lists and the 2018 count as from a hand count of polling-place lists. The report covers counties once covered by Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.
- Democracy Diverted: Polling Place Closures and the Right to Vote (September 2019), Appendix, page 69 ↗ News report, The Leadership Conference Education Fund
Source last checked Oct 24, 2026
-
Report counts 3 fewer polling places in Craven County in 2018 than in 2012
The Leadership Conference Education Fund, a civil rights coalition, reported in September 2019 that Craven County had 27 Election Day polling places in the 2012 general election and 24 in 2018, a change of -3 (-11%). The report lists the 2012 count as from a hand count of polling-place lists and the 2018 count as from a hand count of polling-place lists. The report covers counties once covered by Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.
- Democracy Diverted: Polling Place Closures and the Right to Vote (September 2019), Appendix, page 70 ↗ News report, The Leadership Conference Education Fund
Source last checked Oct 24, 2026
-
Report counts 4 fewer polling places in Halifax County in 2018 than in 2012
The Leadership Conference Education Fund, a civil rights coalition, reported in September 2019 that Halifax County had 25 Election Day polling places in the 2012 general election and 21 in 2018, a change of -4 (-16%). The report lists the 2012 count as from a hand count of polling-place lists and the 2018 count as from a hand count of polling-place lists. The report covers counties once covered by Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.
- Democracy Diverted: Polling Place Closures and the Right to Vote (September 2019), Appendix, page 70 ↗ News report, The Leadership Conference Education Fund
Source last checked Oct 24, 2026
-
Report counts 1 more polling place in Harnett County in 2018 than in 2012
The Leadership Conference Education Fund, a civil rights coalition, reported in September 2019 that Harnett County had 12 Election Day polling places in the 2012 general election and 13 in 2018, a change of +1 (8%). The report lists the 2012 count as from a hand count of polling-place lists and the 2018 count as from a hand count of polling-place lists. The report covers counties once covered by Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.
- Democracy Diverted: Polling Place Closures and the Right to Vote (September 2019), Appendix, page 70 ↗ News report, The Leadership Conference Education Fund
Source last checked Oct 24, 2026
-
Report counts 1 more polling place in Hoke County in 2018 than in 2012
The Leadership Conference Education Fund, a civil rights coalition, reported in September 2019 that Hoke County had 14 Election Day polling places in the 2012 general election and 15 in 2018, a change of +1 (7%). The report lists the 2012 count as from a hand count of polling-place lists and the 2018 count as from a hand count of polling-place lists. The report covers counties once covered by Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.
- Democracy Diverted: Polling Place Closures and the Right to Vote (September 2019), Appendix, page 70 ↗ News report, The Leadership Conference Education Fund
Source last checked Oct 24, 2026
-
Report counts 1 fewer polling place in Jackson County in 2018 than in 2012
The Leadership Conference Education Fund, a civil rights coalition, reported in September 2019 that Jackson County had 15 Election Day polling places in the 2012 general election and 14 in 2018, a change of -1 (-7%). The report lists the 2012 count as from a hand count of polling-place lists and the 2018 count as from a hand count of polling-place lists. The report covers counties once covered by Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.
- Democracy Diverted: Polling Place Closures and the Right to Vote (September 2019), Appendix, page 70 ↗ News report, The Leadership Conference Education Fund
Source last checked Oct 24, 2026
-
Report counts 1 fewer polling place in Martin County in 2018 than in 2012
The Leadership Conference Education Fund, a civil rights coalition, reported in September 2019 that Martin County had 12 Election Day polling places in the 2012 general election and 11 in 2018, a change of -1 (-8%). The report lists the 2012 count as from a hand count of polling-place lists and the 2018 count as from a hand count of polling-place lists. The report covers counties once covered by Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.
- Democracy Diverted: Polling Place Closures and the Right to Vote (September 2019), Appendix, page 70 ↗ News report, The Leadership Conference Education Fund
Source last checked Oct 24, 2026
-
Report counts 3 fewer polling places in Nash County in 2018 than in 2012
The Leadership Conference Education Fund, a civil rights coalition, reported in September 2019 that Nash County had 27 Election Day polling places in the 2012 general election and 24 in 2018, a change of -3 (-11%). The report lists the 2012 count as from a hand count of polling-place lists and the 2018 count as from a hand count of polling-place lists. The report covers counties once covered by Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.
- Democracy Diverted: Polling Place Closures and the Right to Vote (September 2019), Appendix, page 70 ↗ News report, The Leadership Conference Education Fund
Source last checked Oct 24, 2026
-
Report counts 4 fewer polling places in Pasquotank County in 2018 than in 2012
The Leadership Conference Education Fund, a civil rights coalition, reported in September 2019 that Pasquotank County had 13 Election Day polling places in the 2012 general election and 9 in 2018, a change of -4 (-31%). The report lists the 2012 count as from a hand count of polling-place lists and the 2018 count as from a hand count of polling-place lists. The report covers counties once covered by Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.
- Democracy Diverted: Polling Place Closures and the Right to Vote (September 2019), Appendix, page 70 ↗ News report, The Leadership Conference Education Fund
Source last checked Oct 24, 2026
-
Report counts 3 fewer polling places in Person County in 2018 than in 2012
The Leadership Conference Education Fund, a civil rights coalition, reported in September 2019 that Person County had 14 Election Day polling places in the 2012 general election and 11 in 2018, a change of -3 (-21%). The report lists the 2012 count as from a hand count of polling-place lists and the 2018 count as from a hand count of polling-place lists. The report covers counties once covered by Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.
- Democracy Diverted: Polling Place Closures and the Right to Vote (September 2019), Appendix, page 70 ↗ News report, The Leadership Conference Education Fund
Source last checked Oct 24, 2026
-
Report counts 4 fewer polling places in Robeson County in 2018 than in 2012
The Leadership Conference Education Fund, a civil rights coalition, reported in September 2019 that Robeson County had 42 Election Day polling places in the 2012 general election and 38 in 2018, a change of -4 (-10%). The report lists the 2012 count as from a hand count of polling-place lists and the 2018 count as from a hand count of polling-place lists. The report covers counties once covered by Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.
- Democracy Diverted: Polling Place Closures and the Right to Vote (September 2019), Appendix, page 70 ↗ News report, The Leadership Conference Education Fund
Source last checked Oct 24, 2026
2018
-
General Assembly overrides the Governor's veto of Senate Bill 824, implementing the photo ID amendment (Session Law 2018-144)
The General Assembly's record for Senate Bill 824, summarized as "AN ACT TO IMPLEMENT THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT REQUIRING PHOTOGRAPHIC IDENTIFICATION TO VOTE," shows the Governor vetoed it on December 14, 2018. The Senate voted to override on December 18, 2018 (33 to 12) and the House on December 19, 2018 (72 to 40), making it Session Law 2018-144 on December 19, 2018.
- North Carolina General Assembly: Senate Bill 824 / S.L. 2018-144, bill history and votes ↗
- North Carolina Legislative Reporting Service: Senate Bill 824 summaries ↗
Source last checked Oct 21, 2026
-
Voters amend the state constitution to require photo identification
The North Carolina Supreme Court records that in November 2018 the people amended the State Constitution to require that "voters offering to vote in person shall present photographic identification before voting," and that the General Assembly then passed S.B. 824 to implement it.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
2016
-
Three-judge court finds challenged state House and Senate districts were drawn by race
On August 11, 2016 in Covington v. North Carolina, a three-judge federal court wrote that "race was the predominant factor motivating the drawing of all challenged districts," and that defendants had not shown the use of race was narrowly tailored to comply with Section 2 or Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
-
Fourth Circuit strikes down North Carolina's 2013 election law provisions
On July 29, 2016 the Fourth Circuit reversed the district court in the challenge to the 2013 election law (SL 2013-381), writing that "the new provisions target African Americans with almost surgical precision," and remanded with instructions to enjoin the challenged provisions. It noted that the day after Shelby County was decided, a Senate Rules Committee chairman said an omnibus bill was coming.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
-
Three-judge court holds congressional Districts 1 and 12 were drawn predominantly by race
On February 5, 2016 a three-judge federal court found in Harris v. McCrory that "race predominated in both CD 1 and CD 12 and that the defendants have failed to establish that its race-based redistricting satisfies strict scrutiny," and gave the legislature until February 19, 2016 to enact a remedial plan.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
2013
-
Governor signs House Bill 589, the Voter Information Verification Act (Session Law 2013-381)
The North Carolina General Assembly's record shows House Bill 589 was presented to the Governor on July 29, 2013 and signed on August 12, 2013 (Session Law 2013-381). The Legislative Reporting Service digest describes it as "AN ACT TO RESTORE CONFIDENCE IN GOVERNMENT BY ESTABLISHING THE VOTER INFORMATION VERIFICATION ACT ... AND BY REQUIRING VOTERS TO PROVIDE PHOTO IDENTIFICATION BEFORE VOTING ... AND TO FURTHER REFORM THE ELECTION LAWS," effective January 1, 2014 except as otherwise provided.
- North Carolina General Assembly: House Bill 589 / S.L. 2013-381, bill history ↗
- North Carolina Legislative Reporting Service: House Bill 589 summaries ↗
Source last checked Oct 21, 2026
2012
-
Justice Department objects to shrinking the Pitt County school board from twelve members to seven
On April 30, 2012 the Justice Department objected to parts of Session Law 2011-174, which reduced the Pitt County school board from twelve to seven members, elected from six single-member districts and one at large, and shortened terms from six years to four.
- Justice Department, Voting Determination Letters for North Carolina (Section 5 objection letters) ↗
- Justice Department Section 5 objection letter, April 30, 2012 ↗
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
Nationwide
2019
-
House passes Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2019; no Senate vote follows
On December 6, 2019, the House passed H.R. 4, the Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2019, by 228 to 187 (Roll no. 654). It was received in the Senate on December 9, 2019 and referred to the Judiciary Committee; the bill record lists no Senate vote, and it did not become law.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
-
Supreme Court decides Department of Commerce v. New York, on a census citizenship question
On June 27, 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court decided a challenge to the Commerce Secretary's decision to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census. The syllabus says "The Enumeration Clause permits Congress, and by extension the Secretary, to inquire about citizenship on the census questionnaire," and the judgment was "affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded."
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
-
Supreme Court decides Rucho v. Common Cause
On June 27, 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court decided cases from North Carolina and Maryland in which voters challenged congressional maps as partisan. The Court held that such claims present "political questions beyond the reach of the federal courts."
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
-
House passes For the People Act of 2019; no Senate vote follows
On March 8, 2019, the House passed H.R. 1, the For the People Act of 2019, by 234 to 193 (Roll no. 118). The bill was received in the Senate on March 12, 2019 and placed on the Senate calendar; the bill record lists no Senate vote on passage, and it did not become law.
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
2018
-
President signs Executive Order 13848 on foreign interference in U.S. elections
Executive Order 13848, dated September 12, 2018, imposes sanctions authority in the event of foreign interference in a U.S. election. The order says "there has been no evidence of a foreign power altering the outcome or vote tabulation in any United States election" and declares a national emergency over the threat of interference.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
-
Supreme Court decides Gill v. Whitford
On June 18, 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court reviewed a challenge to Wisconsin's state legislative map as a partisan one. The Court held that "The plaintiffs have failed to demonstrate Article III standing."
Source last checked Oct 23, 2026
-
Supreme Court decides Husted v. A. Philip Randolph Institute
On June 11, 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court held that "The process that Ohio uses to remove voters on change-of-residence grounds does not violate the Failure-to-Vote Clause or any other part of the NVRA."
- Husted v. A. Philip Randolph Institute, 584 U.S. 756 (2018), U.S. Reports, Volume 584 (Supreme Court) ↗
- Husted v. A. Philip Randolph Institute, No. 16-980 (U.S. June 11, 2018), syllabus and opinions (Cornell Legal Information Institute copy) ↗
Source last checked Oct 22, 2026
-
President terminates the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity
Executive Order 13820, dated January 3, 2018 and published January 8, 2018, revoked Executive Order 13799 and states that "the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity is accordingly terminated."
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
2017
-
Supreme Court decides Cooper v. Harris
On May 22, 2017, the U.S. Supreme Court reviewed North Carolina's congressional Districts 1 and 12. The syllabus says the lower court "did not err in concluding that race furnished the predominant rationale for District 1's redesign and that the State's interest in complying with the VRA could not justify that consideration of race."
Source last checked Oct 23, 2026
-
President establishes the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity
Executive Order 13799, dated May 11, 2017 and published May 16, 2017, established the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity, chaired by the Vice President, to "study the registration and voting processes used in Federal elections."
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
-
Homeland Security designates election infrastructure as critical infrastructure
On January 6, 2017, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said he had determined "that election infrastructure in this country should be designated as a subsector of the existing Government Facilities critical infrastructure sector." The statement defines election infrastructure as including "storage facilities, polling places, and centralized vote tabulations locations" and voter registration databases and voting machines.
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
2016
-
Supreme Court decides Evenwel v. Abbott
On April 4, 2016, the U.S. Supreme Court held that "a State or locality may draw its legislative districts based on total population," according to its syllabus.
Source last checked Oct 23, 2026
2013
-
Supreme Court decides Shelby County v. Holder
On June 25, 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court held that Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act is unconstitutional and that its formula can no longer be used as a basis for requiring places to get federal approval ("preclearance") before changing voting procedures.
Source last checked Oct 23, 2026
-
Supreme Court decides Arizona v. Inter Tribal Council of Arizona
On June 17, 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court held that "Arizona's evidence-of-citizenship requirement, as applied to Federal Form applicants, is pre-empted by the NVRA's mandate that States 'accept and use' the Federal Form."
Source last checked Oct 23, 2026
-
President establishes the Presidential Commission on Election Administration
Executive Order 13639, dated March 28, 2013 and published April 3, 2013, established the Presidential Commission on Election Administration. The order says the commission "shall identify best practices and otherwise make recommendations to promote the efficient administration of elections."
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
How this timeline is built
Every entry rests on at least one source that was opened and read, and that source states the date and the fact. Courts, legislatures, election offices, the Justice Department, the Census Bureau, the Federal Register and Congress.gov come first. A news report is used only when no official page states the fact, and it is labeled with the outlet's name. Encyclopedias are not used as sources. History starts in 1965 with the Voting Rights Act. County names come from the Census Bureau's 2024 Gazetteer. Congressional district numbers are those in use for the 2026 election; an event is tagged to a district only when its source names that congressional district.
When a later event changes an earlier one, such as a law later struck down, both entries are listed and point to each other. This page does not predict outcomes or say which party a change helps. U.S. House maps for 2026 · Back to the 2026 voting center.