North Carolina Republicans Pass Controversial Power-Shifting Bill

In North Carolina, Republican candidate Jefferson Griffin has filed a legal challenge to prevent the certification of Democratic Justice Allison Riggs' election victory, claiming that thousands of ballots should be disqualified. This action follows a narrow 734-vote lead for Riggs after a recount, amidst accusations from the Democratic Party that Griffin is undermining democracy in pursuit of power. Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers have enacted legislation to strip powers from newly elected Democratic officials, including transferring the governor's appointment authority for the state elections board to a Republican state auditor. Critics, including Democratic Governor Roy Cooper and Attorney General Josh Stein, argue these moves are a blatant power grab and have filed a lawsuit claiming the changes violate the state constitution. The legislation has sparked protests and is part of a broader trend of partisan struggles over power in battleground states. As North Carolina's political landscape continues to shift, both parties are preparing for an escalating legal and political battle.