‘Outrageous Power Grab’: North Carolina Democrats Prepare for a Legal Battle

Democrats won statewide in North Carolina, but Republicans have stripped key authorities away from the governor and attorney general.

Election 2024 North Carolina Governor

Republicans have stripped Democratic North Carolina Gov.-elect Josh Stein’s power to appoint board of election members. Grant Halverson/AP

North Carolina Democrats are gearing up for a legal fight.

State Republicans passed what Democrats are calling a power grab last week: In a bill to inject $227 million into a hurricane relief fund, they also shifted the governor’s power to appoint members to the State Board of Elections to state auditor, prohibited the attorney general from taking legal positions contrary to the General Assembly and decreased how much time counties have to count ballots.

The Republican state legislature voted to override Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of the bill last week.