NC Republicans pass significant election changes, defy Dem governor’s veto.
Republican State Lawmakers Override Veto, Enact Election Integrity Bill
Republican state lawmakers in North Carolina have defied Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto and successfully passed an election integrity bill. This move comes after a series of votes in which the GOP supermajorities in the state House and Senate overturned five of Mr. Cooper’s vetoes, two of which directly impact elections and voting in the ninth-largest state.
One of the laws, known as SB 749, transfers the power to appoint the State Board of Elections from the governor to legislative leaders. The other law, also supported by the GOP, shortens the period for receiving and counting absentee ballots, as long as they are postmarked by Election Day.
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SB 749 aims to establish bipartisan election boards, ensuring equal representation from both major parties. Previously, the governor’s party held a majority of seats on the state elections board. However, starting January 1, the board will consist of eight members, chosen by legislative leaders, resulting in a 4–4 split between Democrats and Republicans.
The other bill passed by the legislature, despite Mr. Cooper’s veto, reduces the time frame for counting absentee ballots and introduces stricter scrutiny of signatures, according to The Hill.
Republican state Rep. Grey Mills defended the measure, stating that it improves the voting process without eliminating early voting. However, Gov. Cooper expressed concerns about the bills, warning that they could lead to gridlock and potentially allow legislators or courts to alter election results.
Despite the governor’s objections, the North Carolina legislature successfully overrode the veto due to their three-fifths majority in both the House and Senate. Mr. Cooper has responded by filing a lawsuit against Republican legislative leaders, seeking a temporary injunction against the law. Democratic organizations have also challenged the election law in court.
Left-wing organizations, including Common Cause North Carolina, NC Voters for Clean Elections, the NAACP North Carolina, and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), have strongly opposed the laws, equating them to voter intimidation and Reconstruction-era tactics by the Ku Klux Klan.
Since the 2020 election, GOP-controlled legislatures have implemented various measures to restrict early voting, citing concerns about voter fraud. House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate Majority Leader Paul Newton argue that the new legislation improves the system and ensures fair elections.
Additionally, the legislature passed a measure prohibiting officials from accepting private funds for elections and requiring state courts to inform elections officials about potential jurors who are disqualified due to their non-U.S. citizenship.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
What is the rationale behind shortening the deadline for absentee ballots in North Carolina?
Elates to the handling of absentee ballots. Under current law, mail-in ballots in North Carolina must be received by county election boards no later than three days after Election Day in order to be counted. However, the newly enacted law shortens this period to one day, meaning that absentee ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received by the board no later than the day after the election to be counted.
The rationale behind this change is to ensure that the election results are known in a timely manner and to prevent any potential delays or uncertainties in the counting process. Supporters of the bill argue that it will help protect the integrity of the election by reducing the window for potential fraud or discrepancies in the handling of mail-in ballots.
Opponents of the legislation, on the other hand, are concerned that the shorter deadline may disproportionately impact certain groups of voters, particularly those who rely on mail-in ballots due to disabilities, illness, or other valid reasons. They argue that the new law may place a burden on these individuals and restrict their ability to participate fully in the electoral process.
The passage of these election integrity bills is part of a broader trend in Republican-led states across the country. Many GOP lawmakers have raised concerns about the security and validity of elections, particularly in the wake of the 2020 presidential election. They argue that these measures are necessary to restore public faith in the electoral process and ensure that only eligible voters are able to cast their ballots.
Democrats, however, view these laws as attempts to suppress voter turnout and disenfranchise certain groups, such as minority voters who have historically faced barriers to voting. They argue that there is no evidence of widespread voter fraud that would justify these restrictive measures and that they are instead motivated by partisan politics.
The passage of the election integrity bills in North Carolina is likely to face legal challenges. Critics may argue that the transfer of power from the governor to the legislative leaders infringes upon the executive branch’s authority and violates the principle of separation of powers. They may also challenge the shortened deadline for absentee ballots as an undue burden on voters.
It remains to be seen how these legal challenges will play out and whether the new laws will withstand judicial scrutiny. In the meantime, the passage of these bills in North Carolina highlights the ongoing debate and division over election integrity and voting rights in the United States.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
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