In North Carolina, Republican lawmakers passed a sweeping bill that would strip key powers from the state’s incoming Democratic governor and attorney general before the GOP most likely loses its veto-proof supermajority in the Legislature next year. The legislation would grant the authority to appoint members to the state’s election board to the state auditor, who will be a Republican, rather than the governor’s office. The bill also includes provisions to shorten the time for voters to fix ballot errors, require counties to count ballots more rapidly, and advance other Republican legislative priorities.
The bill was introduced quickly and passed by both GOP-controlled chambers over just two days despite opposition from some Republicans. The legislation is criticized as a “power grab” by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and the State Board of Elections expressed concern that changes may impact their ability to ensure every eligible ballot is counted. The bill also seeks to limit the attorney general’s ability to take legal positions contrary to those of the Legislature, and strip the governor’s power in filling judicial vacancies and creating new Superior Court positions.
The passage of the bill comes as Republicans are poised to lose their supermajority in the Legislature, making it harder to override future vetoes from the incoming attorney general. The bill has sparked controversy and accusations of political retribution from Democrats in the state.
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