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S652 • 2025
Voter Fraud Prevention Act.
This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.
Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.
Voter Fraud Prevention Act.
Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
Passed 1st Reading
Filed
Voter Fraud Prevention Act.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 2025 S 1 SENATE BILL 652 Short Title: Voter Fraud Prevention Act. (Public) Sponsors: Senators Garrett, Batch, and Salvador (Primary Sponsors). Referred to: Rules and Operations of the Senate March 26, 2025 *S652-v-1* A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1 AN ACT TO REQUIRE A SPECIAL ELECTION WHE N AN ELECTED OR APPO INTED 2 MEMBER OF THE GENERA L ASSEMBLY CHANGES P ARTY AFFILIATION 3 DURING THE MEMBER'S TERM IN OFFICE WITH MORE THAN SIX MONTHS OF 4 THE TERM REMAINING A ND TO REQUIRE THE RE TURN OF CAMPAIGN 5 CONTRIBUTIONS UPON THE REQUEST OF THE CONTRIBUTOR. 6 Whereas, nothing is more important to the functioning of an open and free democracy 7 than voter confidence in elections; and 8 Whereas, members of the General Assembly are duty -bound to faithfully pursue the 9 interests and issues for which they were elected; and 10 Whereas, political party affiliation switches by seated legislators may have profound 11 consequences for those legislators' constituents and all residents of North Carolina; and 12 Whereas, both major parties have had members switch political party affiliation; and 13 Whereas, 25,986 votes were cast in the 2022 general election for or against a North 14 Carolina legislator who chose to switch political party affiliation less than six months after being 15 sworn into office; Now, therefore, 16 The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: 17 SECTION 1. Article 2 of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes is amended by adding 18 a new section to read: 19 "§ 163-3.5. Special election; change in party affiliation. 20 Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, if an elected or appointed member of 21 the General Assembly changes party affiliation during the member's term of office with more 22 than six months remaining on the member's term, that member's office shall be deemed vacated 23 and the vacancy shall automatically trigger a special election which shall be held within 90 days 24 from the date the member changed party affiliation. The State Board of Elections shall develop 25 the guidelines and proce dures to be used in conducting the special election required by this 26 section, including reimbursement to the county board of elections for the actual cost involved in 27 administering the special election." 28 SECTION 2. Article 22A of Chapter 163 of the General Statutes is amended by 29 adding a new section to read: 30 "§ 163-278.16C. Request to return contribution; change in party affiliation. 31 Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, any elected or appointed member of 32 the General Assembly who changes party affiliation as described in G.S. 163-3.5 shall return any 33 contributions made to the member's or candidate 's campaign committee, as defined in 34 G.S. 163-278.38Z, during the most recent election cycle upon the request of the contributor. A 35 contribution refund under this section shall be made within 30 days from the date of the request." 36 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 Page 2 Senate Bill 652-First Edition SECTION 3. This act is effective when it becomes law. 1