Skip to main content
NCSBE logo NCSBE

Topical Navigation

  • Home
  • Registering
  • Voting
  • For Candidates
  • Results & Data
  • Campaign Finance
  • About Elections
    About Elections
    • County Boards of Elections
    • Election Security
    • Get Involved in Elections
    • Legal Resources
    • Election Types
    • Electoral College
    • Careers in Elections
  • About
  • Contact
  • Media
  • nc.gov
ELECTIONS 2022 View unofficial results on the Election Results Dashboard.
NCSBE »   About Elections »   Election Security »   Phone Usage at Polls

Phone Usage at Polls

General Overview

North Carolina law prohibits taking photographs of or videotaping voted ballots under N.C.G.S. § 163-166.3. Voters are allowed to have phones or electronic devices with them while voting as long as those devices are not used to photograph or videotape a ballot or communicate with anyone via voice, text, email, or any other method.

Photographing a marked ballot is illegal in part because such photographs could be used as proof of a vote for a candidate in a vote-buying scheme. Electronic communication while voting is prohibited because of limits on voter assistance and to prevent disruptions in the voting enclosure.

Voters may bring voting guides, notes, and other materials into the voting booth. They also may use electronic devices to access a slate card or candidate information, provided they don’t use the devices to communicate with anyone.

Related Content

N.C.G.S. § 163-166.3. Limited access to the voting enclosure.
Election Security

Election Security

  • Combating Misinformation
  • Preparing for Accurate Elections
  • Tips for Monitoring or Observing the Election at Polling Sites
  • Post-Election Procedures and Audits
  • Investigations Division
  • Cybersecurity
  • 10 Facts About Election Security in North Carolina
  • Voter Intimidation
  • Phone Usage at Polls

Share this page:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

How can we make this page better for you?

Back to top

Contact

North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE)

PO Box 27255
Raleigh NC 27611-7255

Email: elections.sboe@ncsbe.gov
Phone: (919) 814-0700
Fax: (919) 715-0135

Receive Updates

Subscribe to receive press releases and meeting notices.

Indicates required field

Please enter your email address in format name@domain.com

Follow

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn

Tweets by @NCSBE

Voter Tools

Voter Search
County Boards of Elections Information
BallotTrax (Absentee Ballot Tracking)
Voter Registration Statistics
View all tools and forms

County Boards Resources

Resources for County Boards
NCSBE Public Files (FTP)

Work with Us

Career Opportunities

  • Translate Disclaimer
  • Accessibility
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Open Budget
https://www.ncsbe.gov/about-elections/election-security/phone-usage-polls