North Carolina Republicans flex muscle as supermajority fades away – Washington Examiner
North Carolina Republicans are working to consolidate their power as they approach a decline in their supermajority status next year, which will limit their ability to override vetoes by Democratic leaders. Historically, North Carolina has seen a split in party control, with Republicans maintaining dominance in the state Legislature while Democrats have won governorships. As their influence diminishes, Republicans are hastily pushing legislation aimed at reducing the forthcoming powers of Governor-elect Josh Stein, a Democrat. A significant 131-page bill, presented shortly before a House debate, seeks to restrict the governor’s authority by limiting his ability to appoint key state officials, including the leader of the highway patrol and judicial replacements. Crucially, the bill aims to shift control of the state election board—currently appointed by the governor—to a state auditor, further solidifying Republican influence in critical areas of governance.
North Carolina Republicans flex muscle as supermajority fades away
North Carolina Republicans are scrambling to shore up the authority they have before next year when they will not have their supermajority status to thwart moves by Democratic leaders in the state.
The Tar Heel State has been a reliably Republican bastion for state lawmakers, but voters have been happy to split their tickets and send Democrats to the governor’s mansion. Next year, Republicans will continue to control the state House and Senate, but in smaller majorities that will not guarantee their ability to override the governor‘s vetoes.
With their own power waning, lawmakers are pushing through plans now to curtail the powers Gov.-elect Josh Stein (D-NC) will have next year.
The 131-page bill was made public just an hour before the House met to debate it.
While still awaiting passage by the Senate, the bill would take away the governor’s power to appoint a leader of the state highway patrol and curtail his authority to pick replacements for departing judges. The legislation would mandate the governor choose between three nominees of the departing judge’s political party. In addition, it will eliminate the job of two judges who have ruled against lawmakers.
But at the heart of the bill, Republicans are hoping to gain control of the state election board. The five-person board is appointed by the governor, whose party always holds three seats. Under the new bill, it would become the responsibility of the state auditor — a position held by Republican Dave Boliek.
In 2018, Republicans pushed a statewide measure to voters to amend the constitution to reshape the election board, which was rejected.
Again in 2023, Republicans passed a measure to change the board’s structure, but it was blocked by the courts. It is facing an appeal.
Republican state Rep. Grey Mills, the House elections committee chairman, argued that it makes the most sense for the state auditor to oversee the Elections Board because it already conducts investigations and reviews of the election process.
The legislation also will shorten the time frame from nine days to three for voters who cast provisional ballots to provide the documents necessary for their votes to count. Voters without their photo IDs can cast provisional ballots at the polls, which can be counted once they present their IDs.
“Our voters expect us to be able to provide the election results in a timely fashion,” Mills said. “I truly believe that this language will do this.”
The bill also bars the state attorney general from arguing against litigation that is contrary to the General Assembly.
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