Raleigh, N.C.
Reflecting on a year in office, North Carolina State Board of Elections Executive Director Sam Hayes highlights the advances made under his leadership. Since his appointment on May 15, 2025, the Board has embarked on an ambitious modernization plan, improved voter registration systems, and enhanced operational efficiency.
“My administration has made significant progress, and I am very proud of our accomplishments so far, but we are by no means done,” stated Hayes. “With the successful 2026 primaries behind us and the general election approaching, the hard work continues. We have important projects to complete and more improvements on the way. These successes are rooted in the hard work of our board and staff at both the state and county levels.”
Advancements in SEIMS
- The State Election Information Management System (SEIMS) has undergone modernization to enhance system functionality and security, with full replacement planned within two years.
- ReFrame Solutions was chosen in February to lead this project under a $4.66 million contract, and the modernization process is currently in progress.
Overhaul of Election Data Systems
- A major overhaul of SEIMS, marked as the largest in state history, will be conducted through a competitive bidding process, with vendor selection anticipated later this year.
- The bipartisan MEDS Commission, led by State Auditor Dave Boliek, meets regularly to provide input on this modernization.
- Hayes and Boliek launched a statewide campaign in October to gather input on SEIMS and the Campaign Finance Reporting System.
- The new platforms aim to offer improved security, usability, transparency, and workflow efficiency.
- North Carolina’s campaign finance software is also being updated to enhance access to campaign disclosures.
Voter Registration Improvements
- The Registration Repair Project, initiated on July 17, 2025, aims to collect missing ID numbers required by law for voter identity verification.
- Approximately 82,000 voters were contacted to submit missing ID information, with the agency repairing 37% of these records so far.
Agency Reorganization
- Under Hayes and Chief of Staff Brian LiVecchi, the agency has been restructured for improved workflow and leadership across key areas. This includes hiring and retaining critical personnel.
- The Election Security and Enforcement Division was enhanced with the hiring of Director Ron Herring to ensure election integrity.
Resolution of HAVA Litigation
- The State Board settled with the U.S. Department of Justice on September 9, 2025, regarding United States of America v. North Carolina State Board of Elections.
- The settlement validates the Registration Repair Project as a compliance method with voter registration laws.
Voter Database Accuracy
- On April 17, 2026, 7,397,734 voter records were submitted to the federal SAVE system to enhance the voter registration list’s accuracy.
- Preliminary results identified approximately 34,000 deceased voters, with more data expected as processing continues.
Recent Electoral Successes
- Recent elections proceeded smoothly, with no significant issues reported during the November 2025 Municipal and March 2026 Primary Elections across all counties.
- Early voting in the primary saw a 25.4% increase from 2022, with over 700,000 early ballots cast.
- Total primary turnout surpassed 1.5 million voters, marking a 5% increase from 2022.
The State Board collaborated with the North Carolina Association of Directors of Elections to host a Legislative Day in April, engaging county directors with legislators to garner support.
About the North Carolina State Board of Elections
The North Carolina State Board of Elections oversees the state’s election administration and campaign finance disclosure system. It ensures fair and secure elections, guides county boards, enforces election laws, and maintains public trust in the electoral process. For more information, visit www.ncsbe.gov.
Read More Here
Comments are closed.