A power grab by Republicans in North Carolina becomes a referendum on democracy in the states
Associated PressRALEIGH, N.C. — Democrats in North Carolina were celebrating big wins in the swing state after the November election, including victories in races for governor and other top statewide offices. “Let us speak plainly: This bill is nothing more than a desperate power grab,” said Courtney Patterson, vice president of the NAACP’s North Carolina chapter. North Carolina Senate leader Phil Berger blamed Democrats’ “blatant partisanship” for necessitating the changes, which came just weeks after voters chose Democrats for the top statewide positions. “North Carolina voters see that the same folks who are trying to overturn the results of the state supreme court race are the same people who are trying to change the way our elections are handled, the way powers and government functions are handled,” said Julia Hawes, communications director at the statewide advocacy group Democracy North Carolina. During last week’s veto override in the North Carolina House, over 100 demonstrators chanted “Shame” and “People power” as they were escorted out of the chamber’s gallery.
History of this topic
Discover Related
