North Carolina Lawmakers Shift Power from Democrats

North Carolina Republican lawmakers have passed a controversial bill that limits the powers of the incoming Democratic governor and attorney general, Josh Stein and Jeff Jackson, respectively. This legislation, officially titled Senate Bill 382, was expedited through both chambers and is framed as hurricane relief but focuses on transferring critical authority, particularly over the State Board of Elections, to Republican-controlled offices. It reduces the time voters have to correct ballot errors and mandates quicker ballot counting. Critics, including Democratic Governor Roy Cooper, argue that the bill serves as a power grab, masking its intentions under the guise of disaster recovery. The bill has faced opposition from within the Republican party, with three GOP members voting against it, and now awaits a decision from Governor Cooper, who may veto it. This legislative maneuver follows the recent electoral victories for Democrats, raising concerns about the implications for future governance in the state.