North Carolina GOP Passes Controversial Bill Limiting Democratic Governor and Attorney General’s Powers

North Carolina Republicans pass a sweeping bill to limit the powers of incoming Democratic leaders, raising concerns about the balance of power in the state.

At a Glance

Bill moves State Board of Elections under Republican control
Attorney General’s authority restricted in legal matters
Governor’s appointment powers for judicial vacancies limited
Provisional ballot verification window reduced from 9 to 3 days
Bill passed within 24 hours without public comment period

Republican Lawmakers Push Through Controversial Bill

North Carolina’s Republican-controlled legislature has passed a comprehensive bill that significantly alters the state’s governance structure. The legislation, which combines Hurricane Helene disaster relief with sweeping changes to executive powers, was swiftly moved through both chambers without traditional committee review or public input.

The bill’s most notable changes include transferring control of the State Board of Elections to the Republican state auditor’s office, limiting the Attorney General’s authority in representing state legal positions, and restricting the Governor’s appointment powers for judicial vacancies. These modifications are set to impact multiple areas of state government, including election oversight and legal representation.

North Carolina Republican lawmakers have voted to strip the state’s incoming Democratic governor and attorney general of key powers, passing a sweeping bill before the GOP likely loses their veto-proof supermajority in the Legislature next year. https://t.co/VmFdws66G4

— NBC News (@NBCNews) November 21, 2024

Election Administration Changes and Timing Concerns

The legislation introduces significant changes to election procedures, reducing the provisional ballot verification window from nine to three days and imposing new requirements on counties for faster ballot counting. These alterations have raised concerns among election officials about their ability to ensure accurate vote counts, especially during high-turnout elections.

“State Board staff were not consulted about this significant piece of legislation that transfers authority of the State Board of Elections and makes substantial administrative changes that may make it impossible for the county boards of elections to adequately ensure every eligible ballot cast is counted, especially in high turnout elections” – Karen Brinson Bell

The timing of the bill’s passage, coinciding with upcoming political transitions, has drawn criticism from opponents who view it as a power grab in response to recent election results. Republicans are poised to lose their supermajority in the Legislature, which would affect their ability to override vetoes without Democratic support.

Republicans in North Carolina are rushing a bill through the legislature before they lose their supermajority to give their party more control over elections and limit the authority of the incoming Democratic governor and attorney general. https://t.co/0CAwWVlqtc

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) November 20, 2024

Legislative Process and Democratic Opposition

The bill’s expedited passage through the legislature has been a point of contention. It was introduced and passed within 24 hours, with limited time for debate and no opportunity for amendments. Democrats have strongly criticized the process, labeling it as undemocratic and a misuse of disaster relief legislation for political purposes.

“This is a transparent power grab pushed through by a supermajority that’s not happy with the recent election results, and you’re calling it a disaster relief bill. This is shameful, and Western North Carolina is not going to stand for it.” – Democratic Rep. Lindsey Prather

Republicans, however, have defended the bill and the process, arguing that it addresses longstanding concerns and falls within legislative rules. The legislation passed along party lines, with protests erupting in the Senate gallery during the vote.