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RALEIGH, N.C. (CN) — North Carolina Republicans are seeking to strip appointment powers from incoming Democratic Governor Josh Stein, including changes in a disaster provision bill to take away the governor’s ability to appoint people to the state board of elections.
The North Carolina General Assembly met Tuesday for one of their final sessions before the end of the year, and subverted expectations as the House passed another disaster relief bill for hurricane-hit western counties, but within that bill, made last-ditch changes to elections processes.
Included in the $227 million bill is disaster funding and loans for western North Carolina, including investments in transportation, homeowner recovery and water infrastructure. The funding, while allocated, will remain unspent in a Hurricane Helene-specific fund, until the General Assembly appropriates it in later legislation.
Also present in the bill is a provision targeting Stein’s power as governor. Instead of the governor appointing state board of elections members, and filling vacancies, Republican lawmakers voted to have the responsibility shift to the state auditor.
The state board would be administratively transferred to the Department of the State Auditor, but still independently perform all of their responsibilities, barring budgeting, which should be done under the state auditor’s “direction and supervision.”
Lawmakers also reduced the number of board members on county board of elections — from five to four — and removed the governor’s ability to appoint county chair members.
The incoming state auditor, Dave Boliek, will be the first Republican in the role since 2009, as the previous two auditors were Democrats.
The provision came as a surprise to Democrats, who did not receive the bill until it was added to the House calendar Tuesday night. Republicans have held a veto-proof majority since 2023, and have not actively worked across the aisle, instead relying on their numbers after Tricia Cotham switched party affiliation to join Republicans in 2023. Several Democratic representatives expressed frustration, arguing that their political colleagues had cornered them into a vote on a 132-page bill, and criticized Republicans for prioritizing political goals over recovery funding and rebuilding efforts.
“This is a transparent power grab pushed through by a supermajority that’s not happy with the recent election results, and you’re calling it a disaster relief bill,” said a critical state Representative Lindsey Prather, who represents Buncombe County, an area in western North Carolina that was particularly hard-hit. “This is shameful.”
“None of this has gone through any committee, none of this has had any open public hearing. We heard from no agency officials. And this is now rammed down our throat within hours of it coming out,” said state Representative Marcia Morey. The bill was originally scheduled to go through the House rules committee, but instead was voted on on the House floor without first going through the committee process.
“We have to think about what we’re doing,” said Morey. “We’re doing so much more than hurricane relief. This is going to invite lawsuits. Is this the way we really want to end this session?”
Multiple Democrats brought up concerns that the General Assembly needs to act rapidly to address needs in western North Carolina before business and residents leave, including investing in housing and business grants. Fewer than 13 pages in the 132-page bill concern relief funding, state Representative Julie von Haefen pointed out.
Republicans are expected to lose their supermajority based on current election results. Out of 120 House members, they are expected to retain 71, one representative short of what is necessary for them to obtain a three-fifths majority in both chambers, which they need to override a veto and pass legislation into law.
Barring any changes in the two House districts currently facing recounts, Republicans will be forced to work with Democrats in the upcoming long session.
“Shortchanging disaster recovery right now will have serious consequences for years to come,” Governor Roy Cooper, a Democrat, said in a statement. “Legislators have put forward a bill that fails to provide real support to communities hit hard by Hurricane Helene and instead prioritizes more power grabs in Raleigh. North Carolinians recovering from unprecedented disasters should strongly urge their legislators to do their jobs and help Western North Carolina rebuild.”
The board of elections is currently under Cooper’s purview, and Republicans have tried — and failed — to limit his powers before.
Lawmakers passed a bill in October 2023, changing the structure of the state elections board, and expanding the number of seats from five, to eight. Previously, the governor appointed five state board members, filling the seats with recommendations from the major parties, with three board members being selected from his party.
Supporters of the measure said that it would encourage cross-party compromise, while others worried it would result in gridlock. The governor challenged the change in court, claiming that lawmakers were attempting to target his constitutionally appointed responsibilities. A panel found in Cooper’s favor, and the case has been appealed.
The Senate will return for votes on the relief bill and for veto-overrides on Wednesday. After their session this week, lawmakers are expected to return in December before adjourning. If Cooper vetoes their disaster resolution bill, Republicans can choose to take it up once more, use their numbers to override his veto, and pass it into law.
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