North Carolina Republicans Pass Bill to Limit Incoming Democrat Officials

Legislation that would weaken the powers of North Carolina’s incoming governor and other Democrat officials cleared both chambers of the state’s Republican-controlled Legislature this week. In addition to relief funding for Hurricane Helene survivors, the 131-page bill includes new limits on the powers of the state’s incoming governor, attorney general, and superintendent of public instruction—all offices soon to be held by Democrats. The bill would strip authority from the soon-to-be governor, Democrat Josh Stein, to appoint members to the State Board of Elections. Currently, the governor appoints all five members of the board—including three from his own party—based on the recommendations of the Democratic and Republican parties....