Republicans have assumed control of North Carolina’s State Board of Elections, a crucial move that may impact the state Supreme Court election, with ongoing legal challenges surrounding ballot eligibility.
Republicans Take Control of North Carolina Elections Board Amid Supreme Court Race Controversy
Republicans Take Control of North Carolina Elections Board Amid Supreme Court Race Controversy
Shift in Elections Board Could Influence Key Supreme Court Race
In a pivotal political development, the Republicans have seized control of North Carolina's State Board of Elections, a shift that could significantly affect the outcome of a tightly contested state Supreme Court race. This transition follows a recent ruling by the North Carolina Court of Appeals, which permitted a contentious law to remain in effect during its pending appeal process. The legislation, enacted by the Republican-majority legislature, reassigns the power to appoint elections board members from the state's Democratic governor to the Republican state auditor.
On Thursday, State Auditor Dave Boliek utilized his newly acquired authority by appointing three Republicans and two Democrats to the five-member board, thereby establishing a Republican majority. This change emerges amidst the ongoing legal disputes surrounding the 2024 state Supreme Court race between Democrat Allison Riggs and Republican Jefferson Griffin. Riggs currently leads by a narrow margin of 734 votes, although Griffin has contested the validity of more than 60,000 absentee ballots, predominantly from Democratic-leaning districts.
The newly formed Republican-majority board may potentially lend support to Griffin’s efforts to question the election results, in stark contrast to the previous Democratic-controlled board which had been resistant to such challenges. Democrats have denounced the law as a blatant partisan power grab, while Republicans contend that it ensures fair oversight of electoral processes.
The state Supreme Court has not yet rendered a decision on Governor Josh Stein's motion to block the new law. In a related development, a federal judge has mandated that Riggs be certified as the winner, arguing that modifying election laws retroactively infringes upon constitutional principles. Nevertheless, the judge has temporarily stayed the order for seven days to facilitate an appeal.
As the legal battles continue, the reshaping of the elections board highlights the significant stakes and entrenched partisan divides that characterize election administration in North Carolina.
On Thursday, State Auditor Dave Boliek utilized his newly acquired authority by appointing three Republicans and two Democrats to the five-member board, thereby establishing a Republican majority. This change emerges amidst the ongoing legal disputes surrounding the 2024 state Supreme Court race between Democrat Allison Riggs and Republican Jefferson Griffin. Riggs currently leads by a narrow margin of 734 votes, although Griffin has contested the validity of more than 60,000 absentee ballots, predominantly from Democratic-leaning districts.
The newly formed Republican-majority board may potentially lend support to Griffin’s efforts to question the election results, in stark contrast to the previous Democratic-controlled board which had been resistant to such challenges. Democrats have denounced the law as a blatant partisan power grab, while Republicans contend that it ensures fair oversight of electoral processes.
The state Supreme Court has not yet rendered a decision on Governor Josh Stein's motion to block the new law. In a related development, a federal judge has mandated that Riggs be certified as the winner, arguing that modifying election laws retroactively infringes upon constitutional principles. Nevertheless, the judge has temporarily stayed the order for seven days to facilitate an appeal.
As the legal battles continue, the reshaping of the elections board highlights the significant stakes and entrenched partisan divides that characterize election administration in North Carolina.
