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Recently, North Carolina Democrats experienced a significant development when Republican Judge Jefferson Griffin conceded his defeat in a closely contested Supreme Court race after a prolonged six-month legal effort to invalidate certain ballots.
However, the same day marked a setback for the party as it lost control of the state board responsible for setting voting rules and resolving election disputes. This board plays a crucial role in managing state elections, from defining ballot validity to ensuring compliance with campaign finance laws. Throughout the Supreme Court race, the board consistently opposed Griffin’s challenges.
The shift in control followed the Republican-controlled state legislature passing a law that transferred the power to appoint board members from North Carolina’s Democratic governor to the Republican state auditor. The chair of the board, unavailable for comment, had not yet outlined how the new Republican majority would influence elections, though experts anticipate increased ease for challenges like Griffin’s and potential reductions in early voting access.
Gene Nichol, a law professor at the University of North Carolina, commented that the change could benefit the GOP by affecting voter turnout and election outcomes. Ann Webb from Common Cause North Carolina expressed concerns that the new board might remove voters with incomplete registrations and tighten voter registration requirements.
Some conservatives dismissed these concerns, noting bipartisan decisions in the past. Mitch Kokai from the John Locke Foundation acknowledged possible changes to voting locations and ID rules but emphasized that many board decisions have historically been unanimous.
Historically, the board’s five members were appointed by the governor, with the majority being from the governor’s party. In a move unique to North Carolina, a new law transferred this authority to the state auditor, a step not taken by any other state. Although Attorney General Josh Stein challenged the law, the Republican-majority Court of Appeals overturned an initial decision favoring him.
Subsequently, the state auditor appointed two Republican members, shifting board control. This was followed by the board’s decision to replace its executive director with the general counsel to the Republican Speaker of the North Carolina House.
Karen Brinson Bell, the outgoing executive director, reflected on the challenges faced by election officials amidst political tensions. The recent changes offer insight into how future elections might be influenced, especially in a swing state like North Carolina.
In preceding elections, controversies such as the 2018 illegal absentee ballot scheme have marked the state’s political landscape. Anticipated changes in county boards, also under Republican control by the month’s end, could impact early voting logistics.
While some predict these changes might disproportionately affect Democratic areas, others argue that committed voters will find ways to participate regardless. Ann Webb predicts substantial differences in the handling of upcoming elections by 2026.
