NC Republicans override Dem governor’s veto of election integrity bills.
The North Carolina General Assembly successfully overrode Democrat Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of several Republican-backed election bills on Tuesday, marking a major win for activists concerned about the integrity of the state’s electoral system.
Upon their passage by North Carolina’s Republican-controlled legislature within the past two months, SB 747 and SB 749 were promptly vetoed by Cooper. When announcing his veto of SB 747, the Democrat governor baselessly accused state Republicans of orchestrating “an all-out assault on the right to vote” and falsely claimed their legislation makes it “harder for [residents] to vote” and encourages “voter intimidation.”
Contrary to Cooper’s unsubstantiated accusations, SB 747 includes numerous provisions strengthening the integrity of North Carolina’s elections system. Among the changes to state law are requirements that election records be retained for 22 months after an election and all mail-in ballots be received by the time polls close on Election Day. The bill additionally bans the acceptance and use of private money, or “Zuckbucks,” in elections and mandates a process for removing noncitizens from voter rolls.
During the 2020 election, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg gave hundreds of millions of dollars to nonprofits such as the Center for Tech and Civic Life, which in turn poured these “Zuckbucks” into local election offices in battleground states around the country, changing how elections were administered. The funds were ultimately used to expand unsupervised election protocols like mail-in voting and the use of ballot drop boxes. To make matters worse, these grants were heavily skewed toward Democrat-majority counties, essentially making it a massive, privately funded Democrat get-out-the-vote operation.
SB 747 does have its flaws, however. Included in the measure is a section prohibiting political parties from closing their primary elections to unaffiliated voters, which guarantees unaffiliated voters the ability to influence the outcome of party elections. During a previous interview with The Federalist, Jim Womack, the president of the North Carolina Election Integrity Team, detailed how the large number of unaffiliated voters in the state could derail more conservative candidates in Republican primaries to the benefit of establishment Republicans.
Meanwhile, SB 749 would alter the composition of North Carolina election boards. According to The Hill, the measure stipulates that state and county election boards “will now be appointed with an equal number of Democrats and Republicans” rather than “being controlled by the party of the governor.”
Activists concerned about the transparency and security of U.S. elections have since applauded North Carolina Republicans for overriding Cooper’s veto of SB 747. In a statement provided to The Federalist, Jason Snead, the executive director of the Honest Elections Project, praised Republicans’ maneuver and classified the bill as a major win for election integrity.
North Carolina Republicans’ “resolve in the face of political attacks and an obstructionist governor is a model for the nation,” Snead said. “Now they must be prepared to confront even more obstructionism, this time from left-wing attorneys … who have already pledged to file a lawsuit challenging SB 747 in court, just as they did with North Carolina’s voter ID provision, gumming up yet another democratically enacted election integrity law in the state.”
Shawn Fleetwood is a staff writer for The Federalist and a graduate of the University of Mary Washington. He previously served as a state content writer for Convention of States Action and his work has been featured in numerous outlets, including RealClearPolitics, RealClearHealth, and Conservative Review. Follow him on Twitter @ShawnFleetwood
How does the inclusion of measures such as retaining election records, ensuring timely receipt of mail-in ballots, and banning the use of private funds in elections help maintain the integrity of the electoral system?
=”https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2023/SB%20749″ target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Senate Bill 749, the board would consist of three members, with each major political party being represented by one member and the member unaffiliated with any political party being selected by the Governor. This change aims to ensure a fair and balanced decision-making process within the election boards, reducing the potential for party bias.
Despite the positive provisions within these bills, Governor Cooper’s veto and subsequent baseless accusations demonstrate a concerning lack of support for efforts to enhance election integrity. The state’s Republican-controlled legislature, on the other hand, has shown a commitment to addressing concerns about the transparency and fairness of the electoral system.
It is undeniable that the integrity of elections is of paramount importance in a democratic society. Every citizen has the right to trust that their vote will be counted accurately and that the election process is free from manipulation or fraud. Therefore, the passage of SB 747 and SB 749 in North Carolina is a significant step forward towards safeguarding the fundamental principles of democracy.
The inclusion of measures such as retaining election records for an extended period, ensuring mail-in ballots are received by Election Day, and prohibiting the use of private funds in elections are all essential for preserving the integrity of the electoral system. These measures help prevent potential fraud, maintain transparency, and instill confidence in the democratic process.
The issue of privately funded election initiatives, such as the influx of funds from Mark Zuckerberg, raises valid concerns about the potential for biased influence and unfair practices. By banning the acceptance and use of such funds in elections, SB 747 takes a crucial step towards eliminating the undue influence of private entities on the democratic process.
While SB 747 and SB 749 should be commended for their efforts to strengthen election integrity, it is important to acknowledge the flaws within these bills. The provision prohibiting political parties from closing their primary elections may undermine the ability of party members to select candidates that align with their principles and values. This may result in the domination of establishment candidates over more conservative alternatives, potentially alienating a significant portion of the party’s base.
Furthermore, the composition of election boards, as outlined in SB 749, may face criticism for potentially limiting the diversity of perspectives within these boards. It is crucial to ensure that election boards represent a broad range of interests and political affiliations to maintain a fair and unbiased decision-making process.
In conclusion, the successful override of Governor Cooper’s veto of SB 747 and SB 749 in North Carolina’s General Assembly is a victory for those advocating for election integrity. These bills contain important provisions that strengthen transparency, discourage potential fraud, and limit the influence of private funds in the electoral process. However, the inclusion of measures prohibiting closed primaries and potentially restricting the representation within election boards warrants further scrutiny and debate. It is essential to strike a balance between ensuring election integrity and preserving the democratic right of parties and individuals to determine their candidates and participate in fair decision-making processes.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Now loading...