North Carolina's Democracy at Risk: A Power Grab Threatening Free Elections

In a troubling turn of events, the North Carolina Republican-controlled legislature has introduced sweeping changes to the state's election system. This power grab threatens to undermine the very foundation of democratic processes in the state. In late 2024, during a lame-duck session, provisions were secretly inserted into a hurricane relief bill, shifting election oversight power from the incoming Democratic governor to the state auditor, a Republican appointee.

This action, which has been labeled a partisan maneuver to secure future elections, is now playing out in the courts. Republican appointees are pushing to reverse the outcome of a hard-fought state supreme court race, where Justice Allison Riggs, a Democrat, narrowly won. The new Republican-majority state election board, appointed by the auditor, could disqualify votes and potentially overturn election results in favor of the GOP.

Ann Webb, Coalition Partner and Policy Director for Common Cause North Carolina, has voiced concerns about the appointees to the newly constituted board.

"We are very concerned that some of the appointees to the newly appointed board of elections have a history of anti-voter positions on election law and redistricting issues," Webb said.

The urgency of this situation cannot be overstated.

Melissa Price Kromm, our Executive Director, further warned:

“They’re moving very quickly because they see a pathway to steal the North Carolina Supreme Court seat.”

With mounting evidence of partisan bias, it’s clear that this power grab isn’t just an isolated event—it’s a coordinated effort to strip away voters' rights and control the democratic process.

Our coalition stands in firm opposition to these tactics and will continue to fight for fair and free elections in North Carolina. The people deserve a government that reflects their will—not one that is manipulated behind closed doors.

📖 READ MORE AT: Mother Jones: A Massive Power Grab Could Help North Carolina Republicans Steal an Election