The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Aug. 7, 2026
We’re in North Carolina today, where Governor Josh Stein signaled he would veto a bill shortening early voting for primaries, lengthening the time for activists to challenge a voter’s eligibility, and purge voters flagged in the federal SAVE database.
The Carolina Public Press reports that House Bill 958 made several election changes, including shortening primary early voting from 17 days to 10. It extends the time during which a voter’s eligibility can be challenged to three days after the election. In 2024, losing state supreme court candidate Jefferson Griffin challenged over 60,000 voters, tying up the election in the courts for months.
HB 958 also directs the North Carolina Elections Board to use the controversial federal SAVE database to identify dead or ineligible voters, and remove those voters within one week of notification to local election officials. Democrats voiced concern that the notoriously inaccurate SAVE database would disenfranchise eligible voters, who would not have enough time to cure their ballots.
The governor said on social media August 4th he would veto HB 958, QUOTE, “ – . . Because it makes it harder for you to vote, introduces unnecessary chaos into our elections, and invites sore losers to try to overturn an election they lost.”
It’s not likely there are enough votes to override the veto.
We have more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
North Carolina General Assembly – House Bill 958
NC Newsline – NC House approves election changes, budget additions over critics’ objections
Carolina Public Press – NC lawmakers send two big election bills to governor
NC Newsline – Veto coming on the GOP’s big elections bill, NC Gov. Stein says
Gov. Josh Stein – Post on X Signaling Veto of HB 958
Charlotte News & Observer – (2025) NC Republicans will try to override Gov. Josh Stein’s vetoes. How it could play out
Related ADM Reports:
American Democracy Minute – Federal Court Settles North Carolina Supreme Court Race, Heading Off a Dangerous Precedent of Retroactively Questioning Election Rules
Groups Taking Action:
Democracy North Carolina, ACLU NC, League of Women Voters NC
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State
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