RALEIGH, N.C. — October 15, 2026 — As early voting begins across North Carolina, the North Carolina Law Enforcement Trust & Legitimacy Project (TLP) has sent guidance to law enforcement leaders statewide outlining their responsibilities for protecting voters, safeguarding election workers and supporting the lawful administration of elections.
The guidance, issued by retired police chief Chris Blue, TLP’s president and founder, emphasizes advance planning, coordination with local election officials, prevention of voter intimidation and strict political neutrality. It also reminds law enforcement leaders that their responsibilities extend beyond Election Day through vote counting, canvassing and final certification. The letter includes practical recommendations and resources to help agencies prepare for potential disruptions while ensuring that every eligible voter can exercise their rights safely and freely.
The full text of the letter follows:
Fellow North Carolina Law Enforcement Leaders: As we prepare for statewide and local elections , the North Carolina Law Enforcement Trust and Legitimacy Project wants to ensure that you have the resources you need to feel prepared to support the lawful administration of elections and to ensure that all eligible voters can safely participate.
North Carolina law enforcement agencies have statutory responsibilities during elections to ensure safety, access, and compliance with state law and we have attached a helpful pocket guide from the Committee for Safe and Secure Elections that includes all of the relevant statutes for your reference. The North Carolina State Board of Elections website also has good information. https://www.ncsbe.gov/voting/upcoming-election#offices as does States United. Please take a look at each of these links, too, as part of your planning. “Priorities for Law Enforcement Leaders During Election Season,” available here: https://statesunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Priorities-for-Law-Enforcement-Leaders-During-Election-Season.pdf and at https://statesunited.org/resources/public-safety-election-resources/
Here are a few useful pointers to share with your team and to help you answer any questions:
Conduct Pre‑Election Operational Planning
- Conduct a pre‑election briefing for all personnel on relevant statutes (G.S. Chapter 163).
- Review polling locations, ingress/egress routes, and emergency access plans.
- Identify any locations with historically high turnout or past disturbances.
- Establish direct lines of communication between law enforcement leadership and county/municipal election directors NOW. Having these relationships in place before voting starts will be helpful should you need to coordinate a response. This link will help you identify your local Board of Elections contact: https://vt.ncsbe.gov/BOEInfo/
Develop an Operational Plan for the entire Election Period
Election season starts when early voting begins and does not end until every vote is counted and results are certified. Ensure that operational plans account for this extended period. Solicit the input of local election officials to inform these plans. Ensure the plan includes responding to and investigating credible threats against election/elected officials and incorporates intelligence streams. Discuss emergency response procedures and plans with election officials to set expectations and coordinate roles and responsibilities.
Establish a Real‑Time Communications Channel
- Create a dedicated communications line or group for:
- Election officials
- Command staff
- On‑call supervisors
- This prevents confusion and ensures rapid coordination.
Make sure intelligence streams on election-related threats are Locked In
Consider resources such as the North Carolina Information Sharing and Analysis Center (ISAAC), DHS’s HSIN, and real time crime centers, among others. Each FBI field office has designated a special agent and an intelligence analyst as “Election Crimes Coordinators” to focus on preventing and reacting to election crimes. Consider meeting with the ECCs in your region. Officers should know that what they hear and see on their beat is also important intelligence and may need to be fed into intelligence streams.
Officer Wellness is Mission Critical
Officers may be working under stressful conditions for extended periods during election season. Consider what resources and other support might be appropriate.
Safeguard against interference or intimidation
Issue guidance and train officers on the fact that it is illegal for any person to threaten, menace, or in any manner attempt to intimidate an election official or interfere in any way with the official’s ability to do their duties. (G.S. § 163-275(11); G.S. § 163-274(4); p. 2-3 of the attached guide) Officers should respond to support any election official’s request for help in this regard. Also emphasize that it is illegal to intimidate voters, and officers should also be ready to support election officials in enforcing these laws as necessary. (G.S. § 163-274(7); p. 2 of the attached guide)
Determine designated contact people
The Chief Judges or Precinct Chairs at each polling facility are legally authorized to request law enforcement assistance (G.S. § 163‑48). The attached guide provides additional information about their role. (p. 4-5)
Review Jurisdiction & Specific State Laws
Train line officers on state-specific election language, including designated “buffer zones” or “no-electioneering zones” around polling place entrances. Provide officers with:
- A script explaining buffer zone rules
- Clear criteria for when conduct becomes unlawful intimidation
- De‑escalation strategies tailored to election environments
Provide Clear Directives on Presence
Issue explicit department guidance regarding polling place presence. Except where requested/required, uniformed officers should avoid routine stationing or visual monitoring inside or directly outside voting sites to prevent any perception of voter intimidation. (G.S. § 163-271 p. 5-6 of the attached guide).
Clarify Prohibited Conduct for Officers
Include explicit reminders:
- No discussion of candidates, issues, or political opinions while on duty at or near polling places.
- No wearing or displaying political symbols, pins, or messaging.
- No discretionary presence inside polling places unless requested under G.S. § 163‑48.
Respond Only to Calls at Polling Sites
On Election Day, officers should respond to polling locations only in response to specific and legitimate calls for service or public safety emergencies. Once the matter is resolved, officers should promptly clear the scene. Routine patrols of the polling sites, while well-meaning, should be avoided. Officers should immediately notify a supervisor before taking enforcement action at a polling site unless an imminent safety threat exists
De-Escalation as a Priority
Your team is well-prepared to de-escalate and should employ those skills when addressing disturbances, crowd control issues, or non-compliant observers outside the buffer zone.
Protect the Voting Process
If law enforcement action is necessary, avoid making arrests or issuing citations inside voting areas unless delaying action creates or extends a public safety risk. Allow eligible voters to complete their ballots before taking formal enforcement action for minor offenses whenever possible. Allow eligible voters to complete their ballots before taking formal enforcement action for minor offenses whenever possible.
Body-Worn Cameras
Ensure that your officers who are equipped with body-worn cameras adhere to strict privacy practices inside voting sites. Officers must ensure they do not accidentally record completed or active voter ballots.
Remember, the voting period is limited and, once it has elapsed, voters whose experience was compromised cannot go back and cast a ballot. Your familiarity with these basic principles and the laws in the attached guide will help ensure a smooth and orderly election in your jurisdiction.
Law enforcement agencies in North Carolina play a strictly neutral role in elections. Our responsibility is to ensure safety, protect access to the voting process, and uphold state law without regard to political party, candidate, or issue. These guidelines are intended solely to support lawful election administration and to help officers respond appropriately and consistently.
Thank you for all that you do to keep your communities safe and for your steadfast support of ensuring that every authorized voter can safely and peacefully exercise that right.
(Ret.) Chief Chris Blue
President & Founder
North Carolina Law Enforcement Trust & Legitimacy Project