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

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

What We Know

Senate Bill 382, passed by the North Carolina legislature, has been reported to significantly alter the powers of the state's executive office, particularly affecting the incoming Democratic governor. The bill was described as a "vehicle for taking power away from executive offices that will be controlled by Democrats next year" (Governing). It was noted that the Republican-controlled legislature overrode a veto from the current Democratic Governor Roy Cooper, further indicating a strategic move to limit the authority of the incoming administration (North Carolina Newsline).

The bill includes provisions that reduce the number of early voting days and modify how elections are conducted in the state, which critics argue could disenfranchise voters and diminish the power of the new governor (Democracy NC). The timing of the bill's passage, shortly after the election results that favored Democrats, suggests a deliberate attempt to consolidate power before the transition (State Democracy).

Analysis

The claim that Senate Bill 382 stripped election power from the incoming Democratic governor is supported by multiple sources. The bill's provisions directly impact the authority and operational capacity of the governor's office, which will be held by a Democrat after the upcoming election. This aligns with the description of the bill as a "lame-duck power grab," a term used to characterize legislative actions taken by a party that is about to lose control (State Democracy).

Critics of the bill, including Democratic leaders, have expressed concerns that these changes undermine the electoral process and the incoming governor's ability to govern effectively (Governing). The reliability of these claims is bolstered by the consistent reporting across various reputable news outlets, which have analyzed the implications of the bill and its timing.

However, it is important to note that the framing of the bill as a "power grab" may carry a partisan bias, as it is often used in political discourse to criticize opponents. Nonetheless, the factual basis regarding the bill's content and its implications for the incoming governor's authority is well-documented and supported by evidence.

Conclusion

Verdict: True

Senate Bill 382 does indeed strip election power from the incoming Democratic governor by altering key aspects of election administration and reducing the authority of the executive office. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms that the bill was strategically passed to limit the incoming administration's power, thus validating the claim.

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