NCGOP Files Brief Seeking to Restore Statewide Poll Observers

NCGOP Files Brief Seeking to Restore Statewide Poll Observers

February 8, 2022

For Immediate Release

This week the N.C. Republican Party, by and through counsel (Philip Thomas - NCGOP Chief Counsel and Kevin Cline - Kevin Cline Law, PLLC), filed an amicus motion and brief with the North Carolina Court of Appeals. Read the full motion and brief here. 

In late 2021, a Democrat-majority 3-judge superior court panel struck down Senate Bill 824, which included provisions implementing voter ID as well as the addition of 100 statewide poll observers to be appointed by each State Party Chairman. The Democrat groups who filed the suit had not asked the court to strike down the statewide observers, but the liberal-activist judges did that which they always do—they substituted their will for that of our duly-elected legislature. 

The case is currently on appeal to the N.C. Court of Appeals. While the General Assembly is laser-focused on election integrity and is providing a full-throated defense against Democrats’ frivolous claims regarding voter ID, the issue of statewide poll observers had not come to the forefront until these partisan judges inserted themselves into the matter.

The NCGOP successfully appointed and deployed 100 statewide poll observers in the 2020 Election. Those observers played a critical role in ensuring the fairness and integrity of our elections in this state. 

Even though Republicans were successful in North Carolina’s 2020 elections, (Republicans won 16 of 20 statewide elections), we know there is more to be done to restore voter confidence. That’s why the NCGOP fought (and won) when the State Board of Elections tried to cut our ability to appoint observers, formed an Election Integrity Committee, and has been providing ballot protection workshops and related trainings.

“What we need in our elections is more transparency–not less,” said NCGOP Chairman Michael Whatley. “Having people in the room is the number one deterrent for voter fraud. This judicial attempt to shut out our observers is truly troubling and that’s why I asked our attorneys to get involved.”