NC absentee ballots begin going out as legal battle over mail voting continues

RALEIGH, NC (WWAY) — North Carolina is beginning to send absentee ballots to voters ahead of the November midterm elections, making the state the first in the country to begin the process.

The start of absentee voting comes as the Trump administration asks the U.S. Supreme Court to allow new requirements for mail-in ballots to take effect.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order in March calling for changes to how mail-in and absentee ballots are handled.

The proposed changes would require states to send information about voters receiving mail-in ballots to a new U.S. Postal Service online portal and use unique barcodes on ballot envelopes.

The order has faced opposition from states and voting rights groups, which argue the federal government does not have the authority to impose the requirements.

Critics also have raised concerns that the changes could create confusion for voters or result in valid ballots being rejected if they do not meet new requirements.

The Trump administration is now asking the Supreme Court to allow the rules to take effect.

North Carolina Board of Elections Executive Director Sam Hayes said the state is prepared for the potential changes.

The legal dispute comes as North Carolina voters begin receiving absentee ballots for the upcoming election.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available about the Supreme Court case and any potential changes to absentee voting requirements.