The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for June 21, 2023
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
We recently reported on SB 747, a sweeping North Carolina voter suppression bill apparently ghost-written by a group with ties to the attempted overturning of the 2020 presidential election. Another bill just filed would strip election power from the Governor and election director and give it to the legislature, and fundamentally change how the North Carolina State Board of Elections is chosen.
WRAL reports the Governor currently appoints the five person bipartisan board with a maximum of three from one party. SB 749 changes that to an equal board with four members of each party, appointed by the legislature, not the Governor. Problem is, a deadlock could mean that either party could derail critical election decisions, such as approving early voting locations or interpretation of rules. If the choice of the board’s chair deadlocks, the bill empowers the Republican-dominated legislature to make the appointment.
The changes also apply to county boards of elections, to which the legislature appoints two members of each party. Again, if a chair is not chosen . . . wait for it . . . the legislature makes the appointment instead.
In addition to stripping power from the Governor, the bill also limits the current power of the board’s executive elections director, tasked with running the state’s elections and making executive decisions to help people vote in emergencies – such as pandemics and hurricanes.
We have articles and the text of the bill at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org, I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
North Carolina Legislature – Proposed Committee Version of SB 749
WRAL – New elections bill filed in NC would make big changes for 2024
WRAL – Elections overhaul poised to advance in NC legislature amid protests by voting rights advocates
WRAL – NC’s most popular way of voting could grind to halt if new elections bill passes, critics say
Groups Taking Action:
North Carolina Black Alliance, Democracy North Carolina, North Carolina Voter, ACLU North Carolina
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