Republican Members Of NC State Election Board Resign In Protest

September 24, 2020
For Immediate Release 

Raleigh, NC - Yesterday,  the two Republican members of the North Carolina Board of Elections resigned because of the bullying and deceitful tactics deployed by Governor Cooper’s partisan election board and Attorney General Josh Stein’s office. In their resignation letters, Republican Board Members David Black and Ken Raymond clearly express they were deceived by the Democrat-majority board staff and Attorney General Josh Stein’s attorneys and were unethically pressured into making a decision based on inaccurate legal advice provided by Stein’s lawyers.

Cooper, Stein and the election board are attempting to rewrite North Carolina election law. This unconstitutional attempt to go around the democratic process seeks to expand the statutory absentee ballot deadline, subverts the witness requirements approved in the Bipartisan Elections Act of 2020, rewrites the definition of postmark and weakens protections against ballot harvesting.

This sue and settle policy formation process is a blatant attack on North Carolina’s election and violates the democratic process by trying to change the law through judicial fiat. 

“It is appalling that Roy Cooper and Josh Stein have set up a totally partisan operation at the Board of Elections - which is in the process of completely overhauling North Carolina election rules after voting has already begun. The Board needs to set aside their partisan objectives, comply with their statutory obligations and administer the elections fairly,” said NCGOP Chairman Michael Whatley. “After the Democrats shameful tactics, it is fully appropriate for the Republican members to resign in protest, and we will submit suitable replacements as quickly as possible.”

To read David Black’s resignation letter, click here.

To read Ken Raymond’s resignation letter, click here. 

It is apparent that the "bipartisan” cover the state board has touted for the proposed settlement was only achieved through deceit and bullying.  The proposed settlement agreement was done in secret and has numerous deficiencies. Here are the top three most egregious changes to state law Cooper’s board seeks to change through a bureaucratic and judicial fiat:

1. Permit anonymous outdoor absentee ballot drop boxes.
   
   
2. Eliminate witness requirements for absentee ballots.
   
   
3. Extend the time periods in which absentee ballots can be received by the Board to nine days after the election. 

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