Democrats Won a North Carolina Supreme Court Seat. But They Lost Control Over the Board That Sets Election Rules.

Published: Friday, May 16, 2025 at 9:00 am

**North Carolina Election Board Shifts to Republican Control, Raising Concerns**

Raleigh, NC - North Carolina's election landscape is undergoing a significant shift as Republicans gain control of the State Board of Elections. This change, following a legal battle over a Supreme Court seat, has sparked debate about the future of voting rules and election dispute resolution in the swing state.

The Republican takeover stems from a new law that transferred the power to appoint board members from the Democratic governor to the Republican state auditor. Experts predict this will likely make it easier for challenges to election results to succeed and potentially reduce access to early voting. Gene Nichol, a UNC-Chapel Hill law professor, suggests this move will "tilt the playing field to the advantage of the GOP."

Democrats and voting rights advocates express concerns about potential changes, including stricter voter registration requirements and the removal of voters from the rolls. Ann Webb of Common Cause North Carolina fears the new board will "transform elections."

Republicans, however, downplay these concerns. Mitch Kokai of the John Locke Foundation acknowledges potential changes to early voting locations or voter ID rules but emphasizes that many board decisions are made unanimously. He dismisses claims of a grand scheme to overturn election results.

The board's first move under Republican control was to replace its executive director with the general counsel to the Speaker of the North Carolina House, a Republican. This follows a contentious period where election officials faced harassment and threats, as noted by the former executive director.

The shift in power comes as North Carolina prepares for the 2024 election. The outcome of the recent Supreme Court race, where challenges to ballots were dismissed by the previous Democratic-majority board, highlights the potential impact of the new board's decisions.

BNN's Perspective: While the change in the North Carolina Election Board's composition is concerning to some, it's important to acknowledge that the board's decisions are not always partisan. It's crucial to monitor the board's actions and ensure fair and accessible elections for all voters. The focus should be on upholding the integrity of the electoral process, regardless of party affiliation.

Keywords: North Carolina, Election Board, Republican, Democrat, Voting, Elections, Early Voting, Voter ID, Gerrymandering, Supreme Court, Election Disputes, Swing State, Voter Suppression, Election Integrity, Josh Stein, Allison Riggs

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