Marc Elias on North Carolina's Republican Power Grab and Voting Rights

North Carolina Election Board Power Shift

• 🏛️ Republicans in North Carolina have enacted a scheme to remake the state's election board, shifting power away from the governor.
• 🎯 The new law transfers the authority to appoint board members from the governor to the state auditor, a Republican.
• ⚠️ This change is framed as a move from a pro-voting board to one that will likely engage in voter suppression.

North Carolina Supreme Court's Role

• ⚖️ The North Carolina Supreme Court initially rejected a previous attempt by Republicans to shift election board appointment powers.
• 📉 However, in an interim ruling, the court indicated approval of the current law placing appointment power with the state auditor.
• 🗓️ This interim approval has led to the firing of Democratic members of the state election board and the installation of a Republican-controlled board.

Tactics and Timing

• 🌃 The ruling allowing the interim changes was reportedly issued on a Friday night before a long weekend to minimize public attention.
• 📰 The speaker criticizes legacy media for not covering the story adequately, contrasting it with independent outlets and Democracy Docket.

Implications for Future Elections

• 🗳️ Changes to election rules can significantly impact who can vote and whose vote is counted.
• 📈 The new board is expected to implement rules and interpretations that make it harder for people, particularly Democrats, to vote.
• ⚔️ North Carolina is seen as a crucial battleground for control of the Senate and House, making these election rule changes highly significant.

Multifront War on Voting Rights

• ⚖️ Multiple efforts are underway to disenfranchise voters in North Carolina, including lawsuits by the Republican National Committee and the Department of Justice.
• ✊ Marc Elias's law firm is involved in fighting these cases to protect voting rights.
• 💰 The speaker highlights that the pro-democracy side often lacks the resources of the opposition, which invests heavily in judicial elections and litigation.
• 🎯 Progressives must win nearly all legal battles, while opponents only need to win one to achieve their goals.