North Carolina court allows changes to elections board control

A North Carolina appeals court has temporarily allowed a law to take effect that removes the governor’s longstanding authority to appoint members to the State Board of Elections, shifting that power to the Republican state auditor. This move comes after a lower court ruled the law unconstitutional, arguing it violated the separation of powers by undermining the governor’s duty to execute the laws. Unless the state Supreme Court intervenes, the auditor could soon appoint board members, potentially shifting control from Democrats to Republicans on both county and state election boards. Democratic Governor Josh Stein and former Governor Roy Cooper have challenged the law, emphasizing its impact on the governor’s constitutional responsibilities. Republican legislative leaders argue the state constitution permits dispersing such powers to other elected officials, while critics warn the change could set a precedent for partisan control over elections. The legal battle is ongoing, with the ultimate decision likely to rest with the state Supreme Court, which now has a Republican majority.