Sen. Chaudhuri files bill in North Carolina Senate to strengthen voter and election official protections

A new bill filed by Sen. Chaudhuri seeks to improve protections for voters and election officials, aiming to address intimidation, misinformation, and election security concerns, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

The bill, filed as SB 392 on March 24 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Safeguard Fair Elections.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill aims to enhance protections for voters and election officials in North Carolina. It establishes criminal penalties for voter intimidation, fraudulently deterring voting, and misinformation about eligibility—classifying some as felonies. The bill also introduces penalties for election worker intimidation and requires enhanced security protocols. It establishes the Voter Intimidation Restitution Fund for funding voter education. New provisions disqualify public officials who refuse to certify election results without substantial evidence. Observer rules during elections are detailed, including observer training and conduct guidelines. Additionally, the bill protects election officials’ personal information and appropriates $2.25 million for security training and threat management programs, effective July 1, 2025.

Of the three sponsors of this bill, Natalie S. Murdock proposed the most bills (37) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Chaudhuri graduated from Davidson College in 1991 with a BA and again in 1999 from North Carolina Central University with a JD.

Chaudhuri, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2019 to represent the state’s 15th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Terry Van Duyn.