Overview

• The North Carolina Court of Appeals stayed a lower court ruling, enabling a law transferring State Board of Elections appointment power from Governor Josh Stein to State Auditor Dave Boliek to take effect.
• Auditor Boliek appointed three Republican members to the five-member board, marking a shift in partisan control from Democrats to Republicans.
• Governor Stein has appealed the appellate court's decision to the North Carolina Supreme Court, arguing the law threatens election integrity and democratic principles.
• The newly Republican-controlled board could influence the outcome of the unresolved 2024 Supreme Court race, where over 60,000 ballots remain contested.
• This law is the latest in a series of Republican-led efforts since 2016 to reduce gubernatorial power over election boards, many of which were previously blocked by courts.