RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Republicans advanced extensive legislation Tuesday that would weaken the powers of the incoming governor, attorney general and schools superintendent — all Democrats who were elected two weeks ago — and shift election board appointments to the GOP state auditor.
The final 131-page measure, which also includes setting aside additional funds for , became public a couple of hours before the GOP-controlled House met to debate it during a lame-duck General Assembly session this week. The House voted largely along party lines Tuesday night for the measure, which the Republican-controlled Senate was expected to take up on Wednesday. With Republicans in the next two-year session following electoral losses in the House, this week could be the last best chance for them to enact legislation containing sharp partisan changes.
Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper leaves office at year’s end and will be succeeded by Democrat Josh Stein. Currently the State Board of Elections’ five members are appointed by the governor based on recommendations by the Democratic and Republican parties.
The governor’s party always holds three of the seats. Republican legislators have tried for years to wrest away those appointment powers but have been thwarted by courts. Judges have that would move board appointment authority from the governor to the General Assembly.
Even with litigation pending, Tuesday’s measure would move the independent state board to the State Aud.