North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has taken legal action against Republican lawmakers in the latest legal battle over the state’s elections board. The governor’s lawsuit challenges a measure passed by the GOP-controlled General Assembly that eliminates his authority to select members of the board. Cooper argues that the measure violates the state constitution and Supreme Court rulings that grant the governor control over executive agencies. The governor also claims that the Republicans pushed for the bill due to their newfound majority on the court, expecting a favorable ruling.
The current state elections board comprises five members, with the governor’s party holding three seats. Under the new law, the board will expand to eight members, with legislative leaders from both major parties selecting four members each. This is expected to result in a 4-4 split between Democrats and Republicans. Cooper and his supporters argue that the changes amount to a power grab by the GOP and could lead to board impasses that compromise voting rights. They claim that early in-person voting could be scaled back and contested election outcomes may have to be resolved in the courts or the General Assembly.
In addition to Cooper’s lawsuit, voting rights groups have filed yet another lawsuit against provisions of the same law, arguing that they will discourage young people from voting. This lawsuit focuses on same-day registration and how the new rules will impact individuals aged 18 to 25, particularly college students and those living in transient spaces. The law states that the voter registration of a same-day applicant will be denied if two mailed notices are returned as undeliverable. The recently enacted legislation would make an applicant ineligible to vote if just one notice is returned as undeliverable. The plaintiffs argue that this increases the risk of registration denials due to potential mishaps by the U.S. Postal Service. They claim that the new restrictions, coupled with the lack of an appeals process, create barriers to voting that violate the U.S. Constitution and civil rights law.
The lawsuits filed against the election laws are likely to be consolidated into one case in federal court. The plaintiffs in the latest lawsuit believe that lifting these restrictions is crucial to safeguard the rights of young and student voters across North Carolina and ensure an inclusive democracy. They contend that the changes implemented by the GOP-controlled General Assembly hinder the functioning of a fair electoral process.
The ongoing legal battles in North Carolina highlight the clash between the governor and Republican lawmakers over the state’s election laws. While the Republicans argue that the measures promote bipartisan election administration and consensus, the Democrats, led by Governor Roy Cooper, view them as a Republican power grab. As the lawsuits proceed, the courts will ultimately decide the fate of these controversial election laws and their impact on voting rights in North Carolina.
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