The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Oct. 17, 2023
Today’s Script
(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)
Today’s Links
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
We have updates on two North Carolina election bills designed to consolidate partisan power. HB 747 and 749 were vetoed by the governor, but overridden by the legislature on Oct. 10th.
Last month we reported on HB 749, which removes the governor’s power to appoint members to the state and county election boards, and gives that authority to the legislature. Like the toothless U.S. Federal Election Commission, the state election board now has equal numbers of Republicans and Democrats, so a deadlock likely means few decisions and no accountability. Governor Roy Cooper vetoed the bill, but the veto was overridden by the legislature.
The same day, the legislature overrode Cooper’s veto of HB 747, a voter suppression bill shortening the number of days when mail-in ballots could be received, creating a pilot program for notoriously inaccurate signature matching on those mail ballots, limiting notifications to a voter before removal from the voter rolls, allowing poll observers to take pictures of voters in the polling place, and loosening restrictions on who can “challenge” another voter’s ballot, among other voter suppression tactics.
WRAL reports that the day of the override, two federal lawsuits were filed against the state, claiming the limitations on voter notification disenfranchises thousands of voters, and the election day registration restrictions target Black and Hispanic voters.
We have more on these bills, their frightening impact, and the groups taking action at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
American Democracy Minute – With a Partisan State Supreme Court and Veto-Proof Majority, North Carolina Legislature Poised to Take Control of the State Election Board
North Carolina Legislature – Ratified Text for SB 749
Associated Press – N.C. legislature gives final OK to election board changes; governor’s veto expected
Democracy Docket – Ignoring 62% of Voters, North Carolina Republicans Overhaul Elections Board With Senate Bill 749
Democracy Docket – Unpacking North Carolina Republicans’ Voter Suppression Bill S.B. 747
The Carolina Journal – NC legislature adds to growing list of overridden Cooper vetoes: elections, energy, and regulatory reform
WRAL – Voting rights groups sue over new NC elections law, seeking to block changes for 2024
NC Newsline – Overriding Gov. Cooper’s vetoes, the NC legislature makes it harder to vote, easier to pollute.
Groups Taking Action:
Voto Latino, Down Home North Carolina, North Carolina Black Alliance, Democracy North Carolina, North Carolina Voter, ACLU North Carolina
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