The recent appointment of a GOP majority to North Carolina's State Board of Elections could affect the outcome of a critical Supreme Court race, as legal challenges ensue over absentee ballots. The board's new composition has deepened partisan tensions in the state.
Republicans Seize Control of North Carolina's Elections Board: Implications for Supreme Court Race
Republicans Seize Control of North Carolina's Elections Board: Implications for Supreme Court Race
A pivotal shift has occurred in North Carolina's State Board of Elections as Republicans take charge, raising questions about the upcoming Supreme Court race.
In a significant political shift, Republicans have taken control of North Carolina’s State Board of Elections, a maneuver that could have crucial implications for the outcome of the closely watched state Supreme Court race pitting Democrat Allison Riggs against Republican Jefferson Griffin. This change follows a recent ruling by the North Carolina Court of Appeals, which permitted a controversial law to be enforced during its ongoing appeal process. The law, passed by the Republican-led legislature, reassigns the authority to appoint elections board members from the Democratic governor to the Republican state auditor.
On Thursday, State Auditor Dave Boliek utilized this newly granted authority by appointing three Republicans and two Democrats to make up the five-member board, establishing a GOP majority. This transition occurs amid a contentious legal battle centering on the 2024 state Supreme Court race, in which Riggs is leading Griffin by a narrow margin of 734 votes. Griffin has raised challenges regarding the legitimacy of over 60,000 absentee ballots, predominantly from counties that typically lean Democratic.
The new Republican-majority board is now positioned to potentially endorse Griffin’s challenges against the election outcomes, a stark contrast to the previous Democratic-controlled board that had pushed back against such initiatives. Democrats have criticized the law, alleging it constitutes a partisan power grab, while Republicans contend that it fosters a more balanced oversight over elections.
The state Supreme Court has yet to reach a decision on Governor Josh Stein’s request to prevent the law from being enforced. In the meantime, a federal judge has mandated the certification of Riggs as the winner, asserting that alterations to election rules after the facts of the election are established violate constitutional standards. However, the judge has temporarily stayed the order for a week to facilitate an appeal.
As the legal battles unfold, the recent changes in the elections board underscore the heightened tensions and profound partisan divides influencing election administration in North Carolina.
