§ 143-318.13. Electronic meetings; written ballots; acting by reference. - North Carolina Statutes

§ 143‑318.13. Electronic meetings; written ballots; acting by reference.

(a)        Electronic Meetings. – If a public body holds an officialmeeting by use of conference telephone or other electronic means, it shallprovide a location and means whereby members of the public may listen to themeeting and the notice of the meeting required by this Article shall specifythat location. A fee of up to twenty‑five dollars ($25.00) may be chargedeach such listener to defray in part the cost of providing the necessary locationand equipment.

(b)        Written Ballots. – Except as provided in this subsection orby joint resolution of the General Assembly, a public body may not vote bysecret or written ballot. If a public body decides to vote by written ballot,each member of the body so voting shall sign his or her ballot; and the minutesof the public body shall show the vote of each member voting. The ballots shallbe available for public inspection in the office of the clerk or secretary tothe public body  immediately following the meeting at which the vote took placeand until the minutes of that meeting are approved, at which time the ballotsmay be destroyed.

(c)        Acting by Reference.  – The members of a public body shallnot deliberate, vote, or otherwise take action upon any matter by reference toa letter, number or other designation, or other secret device or method, withthe intention of making it impossible for persons attending a meeting of thepublic body to understand what is being deliberated, voted, or acted upon.However, this subsection does not prohibit a public body from deliberating,voting, or otherwise taking action by reference to an agenda, if copies of theagenda, sufficiently worded to enable the public to understand what is beingdeliberated, voted, or acted upon, are available for public inspection at themeeting. (1979, c. 655, s.1.)