RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Republicans on Tuesday sought comprehensive legislation that would transfer election board appointments to the GOP state auditor and undermine the authority of the incoming Democratic governor, attorney general, and school superintendent.
The more than 130-page bill, which also includes allocating more money for Hurricane Helene aid, was made public only hours before the GOP-controlled House convened to discuss it during this week’s lame-duck General Assembly session. If the House approved it Tuesday night, it was expected to be taken up by the Republican-controlled Senate on Wednesday.
The next two-year session may be the last opportunity for Republicans to pass legislation with significant political changes, as they are projected to lose their veto-proof majority due to electoral losses in the House. Democrat Josh Stein will succeed Democratic Governor Roy Cooper, who steps down at the end of the year.
At the moment, the governor appoints the five members of the State Board of Elections on the basis of suggestions from the Republican and Democratic parties. Three seats are always held by the governor’s party. Courts have blocked Republican lawmakers’ attempts for years to take away such appointment privileges. A 2023 law that would transfer board selection authority from the governor to the General Assembly has been temporarily stopped by judges.
Tuesday’s proposal would transfer the independent state board to the State Auditor’s Office beginning next summer, despite ongoing lawsuits. Dave Boliek, a Republican who was elected this month as the new auditor, would then schedule appointments. Republicans would be able to control the board with these adjustments.
The law would also mandate that county election boards complete provisional ballot counts by three days following Election Day in 2025, presumably in response to complaints this month regarding sluggish vote-counting.
It took several counties several days beyond last Friday’s canvassing date to finish this year’s provisional ballot count. Additionally, the bill would expedite the time frame by which voters who do not have a photo ID card must provide one in order for their ballot to be counted.
According to Pat Gannon, spokesman for the State Board of Elections, the legislation may make it impossible for county boards of elections to effectively guarantee that every eligible ballot is counted, particularly in elections with large voter turnout, because board officials were not consulted about it.
Additional Helene-related provisions are included in Tuesday’s law, which also finds an extra $227 million in the state’s reserves but directs that the funds not be used for the time being. In order to help Cooper’s administration finish housing projects left over from Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and Hurricane Florence in 2018, it does provide an additional $50 million.
In two bills that were approved this fall and signed by Cooper, state lawmakers had already allocated more than $900 million for Helene relief and recovery. Cooper has requested that lawmakers act swiftly to provide considerably more.
Republicans are more concerned with grabbing power than assisting companies and residents harmed by Helene, according to Democrats in western North Carolina. Republicans employed a process that prevented Democrats from proposing changes.
According to Representative Eric Ager of Buncombe County, “this bill makes it pretty clear that the body is prioritizing political priorities over the very real need for rapid assistance in the western part of our state.”
During the floor debate, Republicans said very nothing about the modifications.
Legislators are getting Helene expenditure requests every day, said to GOP Rep. Donny Lambeth, a Republican from Forsyth County who only dealt with the spending provisions.
According to Lambeth, there is still a lot of work to be done and, to be honest, a lot of money that will need to be spent.
The bill would also immediately reduce the governor’s power to appoint new justices or judges to the Supreme Court and state Court of Appeals by restricting the selection process to three applicants from the departing justice’s or judge’s political party.
Jeff Jackson, a Democrat, is taking over as attorney general in place of Stein. The bill would restrict the attorney general’s ability to take legal stances that conflict with those of the General Assembly in cases that contest the legality of laws. Stein recently declined to defend in court parts of legislation that limit the use of abortion drugs and surgical abortions.
Stein stated on the social media site X on Tuesday that the Republicans in the General Assembly are snatching power and pursuing political payback rather than taking the initiative.
Additionally, the bill will prohibit the Democrat Mo Green, who will take over as superintendent of public instruction in January, from appealing decisions made by a state body that considers applications for charter schools.
The Republican effort to undermine Democratic authority is reminiscent of similar policies implemented in late 2016 to undermine Cooper, the candidate to succeed Republican Governor Pat McCrory. Numerous arrests and boisterous protests at the Legislative Building resulted from the bills.
The Associated Press, 2024. All rights reserved. All rights reserved. It is prohibited to publish, broadcast, rewrite, or redistribute this content without authorization.
Note: Thank you for visiting our website! We strive to keep you informed with the latest updates based on expected timelines, although please note that we are not affiliated with any official bodies. Our team is committed to ensuring accuracy and transparency in our reporting, verifying all information before publication. We aim to bring you reliable news, and if you have any questions or concerns about our content, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!