In a dramatic shift in North Carolina's political landscape, Republicans have taken over the State Board of Elections, raising concerns about the implications for the ongoing state Supreme Court race. Following a decision from the North Carolina Court of Appeals that allowed a contentious law to come into force, the authority to appoint members of the elections board has transitioned from the Democratic governor to the Republican state auditor.
Republicans Seize Control of North Carolina's Elections Board Amid Legal Turmoil
Republicans Seize Control of North Carolina's Elections Board Amid Legal Turmoil
The GOP's new majority on the State Board of Elections could alter the trajectory of the contentious state Supreme Court election.
On Thursday, State Auditor Dave Boliek utilized this newly acquired power, appointing three Republicans and two Democrats to the five-member board, thus creating a GOP majority. This significant change arrives at a critical time as the state braces for the outcome of the closely watched Supreme Court contest between Democratic candidate Allison Riggs and Republican challenger Jefferson Griffin. Although Riggs currently holds a narrow lead with 734 votes, Griffin has raised challenges regarding the validity of over 60,000 absentee ballots predominantly from Democratic-leaning districts.
The newly structured board's Republican majority may lend support to Griffin's legal maneuvers to question the election results, a task that was met with resistance by the previous Democratic-led board. Critics of the law argue that it represents a blatant partisan maneuver, while supporters defend it as a necessary step toward ensuring impartial election oversight.
Currently, the state Supreme Court has not ruled on Governor Josh Stein's request to suspend the new law. Complicating matters, a federal judge has mandated Riggs' certification as the winner while asserting that retroactive changes to election regulations breach constitutional principles. However, the judge has delayed enforcement of this decision for seven days, permitting time for an appeal.
As the legal outcomes develop, the recent changes to the elections board expose the critical and contentious nature of election oversight in North Carolina, highlighting the stark divisions between the state's political parties.
The newly structured board's Republican majority may lend support to Griffin's legal maneuvers to question the election results, a task that was met with resistance by the previous Democratic-led board. Critics of the law argue that it represents a blatant partisan maneuver, while supporters defend it as a necessary step toward ensuring impartial election oversight.
Currently, the state Supreme Court has not ruled on Governor Josh Stein's request to suspend the new law. Complicating matters, a federal judge has mandated Riggs' certification as the winner while asserting that retroactive changes to election regulations breach constitutional principles. However, the judge has delayed enforcement of this decision for seven days, permitting time for an appeal.
As the legal outcomes develop, the recent changes to the elections board expose the critical and contentious nature of election oversight in North Carolina, highlighting the stark divisions between the state's political parties.
