In a contentious political battle that threatens to reshape North Carolina's power dynamics, Democratic Governor Roy Cooper faces a significant challenge from state Republicans over his recent veto.
According to Talking Points Memo, North Carolina Senate Republicans successfully voted 30-19 to override Governor Cooper's veto of a Republican-passed bill that would diminish the authority of the incoming Democratic governor and attorney general.
The legislation, initially disguised as a hurricane relief bill known as SB 382, represents a significant shift in political power within the state. Republican lawmakers are rushing to pass this measure while they maintain their veto-proof supermajority, which expires at the end of December 2024.
The bill's implications extend far beyond political appointments, affecting core election responsibilities throughout North Carolina. It introduces substantial changes to election administration procedures, including shortened timeframes for processing provisional and absentee ballots, as well as reduced periods for ballot curing.
One of the most significant changes transfers control of the state's five-person election board from the governor to the newly-elected Republican state auditor. This shift breaks from historical precedent where the governor traditionally held this responsibility.
Governor Cooper expressed his strong opposition to the legislation. He stated:
This legislation was titled disaster relief but instead violates the constitution by taking appointments from the next Governor for the Board of Elections, Utilities Commission and Commander of the NC Highway Patrol, letting political parties choose appellate judges and interfering with the Attorney General's ability to advocate for lower electric bills for consumers.
The bill's fate now rests with the House, which will vote on the override later this month. Three House Republicans previously voted against SB 382 during its initial passage, creating potential uncertainty about the override's success.
Liz Barber, policy director of the North Carolina ACLU, provided insight into the situation. She explained:
The only hope is that they don't have the votes in the House to override. Three Republican representatives from western NC voted against the bill — they can't override without their votes. If they do override, then it becomes law and we will see what, if any, challenges arise in the courts.
The legislation's implementation would take immediate effect if the House successfully overrides Cooper's veto. This swift timeline adds urgency to the political standoff between Republican legislators and Democratic leadership.
The Republican-led initiative has drawn widespread criticism from Democratic officials and voting rights advocates across North Carolina. Cooper has labeled the measure as a "sham" and accused state Republicans of "playing politics" with governmental operations.
If enacted, the legislation would significantly impact the incoming Democratic administration of Governor-elect Josh Stein and Attorney General-elect Jeff Jackson. The changes would limit their authority before they even take office.
The possibility of legal challenges looms large over the legislation, particularly regarding its constitutionality and potential impact on election administration. These concerns have heightened the stakes of the upcoming House override vote.
North Carolina's political landscape stands at a critical juncture as Republican lawmakers attempt to reshape state governance through SB 382. The Senate's successful veto override represents a significant step in their efforts to redistribute power before their supermajority expires. The fate of this controversial legislation now hinges on the House vote, where three Republican representatives' previous opposition could prove decisive.
