Election Improvements.

HB 825 prohibits ranked choice voting in all North Carolina elections, including primaries and local board appointments. It shortens the early voting period to a single Saturday (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.) before elections and clarifies buffer zones around polling places for election-related activities. The bill also tightens absentee ballot requirements, mandating voters provide specific ID details (like last four SSN digits or driver's license numbers) on request forms, with strict rules for alternative affidavits if physical ID is unavailable. These changes directly affect voters requesting absentee ballots and election administrators managing voting procedures.