Public Comment Portal: 2026 Rulemaking – Campaign Finance Complaints and Investigations Rules
Comment on Proposed Rules
The State Board of Elections invites the public to comment on proposed rules directing the process to be followed when the State Board receives a signed and sworn campaign finance complaint from a registered voter. Read the Notice of Text.
Proposed rules:
- 08 NCAC 21 .0901 Scope clarifies that these rules do not apply to Part 1A of Article 22A regarding disclosure requirements for media advertisement.
- 08 NCAC 21 .0902 Definitions defines “complainant” and “respondent.”
- 08 NCAC 21 .0903 Complaints outlines the contents of complaints and how complaints may be filed with the State Board.
- 08 NCAC 21 .0904 Confidentiality interprets confidentiality provision in N.C.G.S. § 163-278.22(7) to state that complaints and other documents gathered by the State Board during an investigation are confidential and may not be released by the State Board for public inspection or copying.
- 08 NCAC 21 .0905 Notice and Written Response outlines the notice that will be provided by the State Board to the subject the complaint, and the opportunity and timeline for which the subject may provide a written response to the allegations.
- 08 NCAC 21 .0906 Preliminary Investigation outlines the preliminary investigation, when a case will be opened, and any subsequent formal investigation.
- 08 NCAC 21 .0907 Formal Investigation articulates when a case may be closed for lack of probable cause and describes the notice that will be provided to the State Board of Elections prior to staff closure of the complaint.
The public comment period opens July 1, 2026, and closes at 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 31, 2026. Submitted comments will be compiled and provided to the State Board for its review before its final consideration of the proposed rules.
For more information about the rulemaking process, please visit Rulemaking.