In a significant political shift, the Republican Party has assumed control of North Carolina’s State Board of Elections, potentially affecting a closely watched state Supreme Court contest. This pivotal change comes after a recent North Carolina Court of Appeals ruling permitted a contentious law to take effect while it is under appeal. The law, enacted by the GOP-majority legislature, alters the appointment authority of elections board members, transferring it from the Democratic governor to the Republican state auditor.
Republicans Take Control of North Carolina Elections Board Amid Controversy
Republicans Take Control of North Carolina Elections Board Amid Controversy
Political power dynamics in North Carolina shift as GOP gains control over the State Board of Elections, impacting state Supreme Court race.
State Auditor Dave Boliek took advantage of this new authority, appointing three Republicans and two Democrats to fill the five-member board, resulting in a Republican majority. This transition unfolds amidst ongoing legal disputes over the 2024 state Supreme Court race, wherein Democrat Allison Riggs currently holds a narrow lead of 734 votes against Republican Jefferson Griffin. Notably, Griffin is contesting the validity of over 60,000 absentee ballots, most of which originate from Democratic-leaning counties.
The newly instated Republican-majority elections board could bolster Griffin's efforts to challenge the election results, a facet that the previous Democratic-led board had consistently resisted. Democrats have labeled the new law a partisan maneuver, while Republicans assert it is a necessary step toward ensuring balanced election oversight.
As the state Supreme Court deliberates on Governor Josh Stein’s request to halt the law, a federal judge has mandated the certification of Riggs as the election winner, indicating that alterations to election regulations post-factum breach constitutional tenets. However, the judge has temporarily stayed the order for seven days to accommodate an appeal.
With legal battles ongoing, the reshaping of North Carolina’s elections board represents the high stakes and profound partisan divisions at play in the realm of election administration within the state.
The newly instated Republican-majority elections board could bolster Griffin's efforts to challenge the election results, a facet that the previous Democratic-led board had consistently resisted. Democrats have labeled the new law a partisan maneuver, while Republicans assert it is a necessary step toward ensuring balanced election oversight.
As the state Supreme Court deliberates on Governor Josh Stein’s request to halt the law, a federal judge has mandated the certification of Riggs as the election winner, indicating that alterations to election regulations post-factum breach constitutional tenets. However, the judge has temporarily stayed the order for seven days to accommodate an appeal.
With legal battles ongoing, the reshaping of North Carolina’s elections board represents the high stakes and profound partisan divisions at play in the realm of election administration within the state.
