Republicans Gain Control of N.C. Elections Board, Affecting Supreme Court Race

Republicans have assumed control of North Carolina’s state elections board after a court ruling allowed State Auditor Dave Boliek, a Republican, to appoint three Republicans and two Democrats to the five-member panel. This shift follows a contentious law passed by the GOP-controlled legislature moving appointment power from the Democratic governor to the auditor, a change Democrats have called an abuse of power. The new Republican majority on the board could have significant implications for the unresolved state Supreme Court race between Democrat Allison Riggs and Republican Jefferson Griffin, who is contesting thousands of ballots. Previously, the Democratic-majority board resisted efforts to discard votes, but the GOP-led board may interpret court rulings more favorably toward Griffin, potentially affecting the election’s outcome. Governor Josh Stein has vowed to appeal the decision, calling it a partisan attempt to overturn the Supreme Court race. The situation remains fluid, with federal courts barring certification of the race’s results until further notice.