Fact Check: Senate Bill 382 stripped election power from the Democratic governor.

Fact Check: "Senate Bill 382 stripped election power from the Democratic governor."

What We Know

Senate Bill 382 (SB 382) was passed by the North Carolina General Assembly and subsequently signed into law, which has raised significant concerns regarding its implications for the powers of the governor, particularly the Democratic governor, Roy Cooper. The bill was described as a "massive power grab" that undermines the executive authority by transferring oversight of the North Carolina State Board of Elections from the governor to the State Auditor, a position held by a partisan official aligned with the legislative majority (source-2, source-4). This change effectively removes the governor's ability to appoint members to the State Board of Elections and County Board chairs, consolidating election oversight in a manner that critics argue is politically motivated (source-4).

The bill also includes provisions that shorten the timeline for voters to "cure" provisional ballots and changes the mail-in ballot request deadlines, which could complicate the voting process (source-4). The GOP's legislative supermajority managed to override Governor Cooper's veto, further indicating a significant shift in power dynamics within the state's government (source-2, source-6).

Analysis

The claim that SB 382 stripped election power from the Democratic governor is substantiated by the content of the bill itself and the legislative actions surrounding it. The bill's provisions directly remove the governor's authority to appoint key election officials, which is a significant alteration of the balance of power in North Carolina's government. This is particularly relevant given that the governor is a member of the Democratic Party, and the legislative changes appear to be a strategic move by the Republican majority to consolidate control over election processes (source-2, source-7).

Critics, including the ACLU of North Carolina, have labeled the bill as anti-democratic, arguing that it undermines the electoral process and the principles of a free democracy by prioritizing political maneuvering over public input and transparency (source-8). The rapid passage of the bill, with little time for public or member input, raises further concerns about the legitimacy of the legislative process used to enact such significant changes (source-4).

While some sources may present a more neutral or supportive view of the bill, the overwhelming consensus among critics is that SB 382 represents a clear shift of power away from the governor, particularly in the context of election oversight (source-2, source-6).

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that Senate Bill 382 stripped election power from the Democratic governor is accurate. The bill's provisions directly remove the governor's authority to appoint members to the State Board of Elections, transferring this power to a partisan official. The legislative actions taken to pass this bill, including the override of a veto, further support the assertion that the bill was designed to consolidate power within the Republican-controlled legislature, thereby diminishing the authority of the Democratic governor.

Fact Check: Senate Bill 382 stripped election power from the Democratic governor.