A power grab by Republicans in North Carolina becomes a referendum on democracy in the states

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — 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. But the political high didn’t last long.

Republican lawmakers are stripping away some core powers of the newly elected officials through a series of wide-ranging changes, anticipating that the result of a yet-to-be-called state legislative race will cost them their veto-proof majority next year. Critics say the moves, which were rushed through without any chance for public comment or analysis, undermine the voters and are simply undemocratic, but they have few options for undoing them.

“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.

Among the changes, which were included in a bill that also addressed Hurricane Helene relief, are stripping the incoming governor of the authority to appoint members to the state elections board and instead giving that responsibility to the state auditor — a job won by a Republican last month. The measure also weakens the ability of the governor to fill vacancies on the state court of appeals and the state supreme court. It prohibits the attorney general from taking legal positions contrary to the legislature’s and weakens the powers of the state school superintendent and lieutenant governor.