NOW: House Select Committee on @COVID19 and its impact "Continuity of State Operations” is expected to take up proposals on 2020 election access changes. Listen in: https://www.ncleg.gov/Audio/1228  #ncga #ncpol

ICYMI: @democracync has recommended the #NCGA broaden voting access amid the #COVID19 crisis, including:

Fund safe and fair elections
More voting by mail access
Address pollworker shortage

You can ask them to do the same at http://demnc.co/access  #ncpol

RIGHT NOW: NC House’s #COVID19 operations working group considers the following temporary changes amid the crisis — everything from health directives to the State Health Plan: https://bit.ly/34DbsZy  #ncpol #ncga

NC House is now considering short-term access expansion of mail-in voting options such as (1) allowing return of absentee request via fax and email; and (2) allowing HAVA (gov’t) documents to used in lieu of DMV doc / last 4 of SSN for requesting mail-in ballots. #ncga #ncpol

Rep. Lewis: Federal "Help America Vote Act" funds will provide more appropriations; says absentee changes represent non-controversial “low hanging fruit” but “right now these are the ones we think are most urgent.” #ncga #ncpol

Rep. Harrison also suggests changes to witness requirements and requirements for poll workers to live “in precinct” to work at a specific polling place. Lewis seems receptive to at least the latter. #ncga #ncpol

Rep. Smith asks about potential “fraud” from allowing voters to request absentee ballot by fax or mail. Lewis says it would not change the form itself, or who can ask for it, "it just changes for this election how the request would be sent in to the board.” #ncga #ncpol

Signaling how others in the majority may vote, Rep. Smith (R) says he would only support this absentee expansion change for the second primary (June 23, 2020) and NOT for the fall general election (Nov. 3, 2020). #ncga #ncpol

Lewis to fellow legislators on the “gov't continuity” cmte's work: “if you do have something you consider of an urgent nature... you can certainly share that now.”

Let your lawmakers know you believe 2020 election access and voter safety is urgent: http://demnc.co/access  #ncga

When asked about allowing "out of precinct” poll workers to staff 2020 elections, Lewis says “I think that makes sense” but he kicks idea of increased worker pay down the road.

With the avg age of NC’s poll workers ~70, #ncga action will be needed to staff in-person elections.