November 5, 2019 •
North Carolina Court Blocks Current State House Districts for 2020 Elections
On Monday, October 28, a state court blocked the use of current congressional districts in North Carolina for the 2020 elections. The ruling could lead to the drawing of new districts that would make several Republican-held districts far more competitive. […]
On Monday, October 28, a state court blocked the use of current congressional districts in North Carolina for the 2020 elections.
The ruling could lead to the drawing of new districts that would make several Republican-held districts far more competitive.
A panel of three Superior Court judges issued a preliminary injunction preventing elections under the district lines, starting with the March 3 primary.
The judges ruled that voters had a strong likelihood of winning a lawsuit that argued Republicans unlawfully manipulated district lines for partisan gain.
The judges gave no date by which a new map must be drawn.
However, the judges suggested lawmakers could redraw them on their own quickly to ensure congressional primaries be held as scheduled.
The State Board of Elections has said lines needed to be finalized by Dec. 15.
June 6, 2019 •
North Carolina Ethics Commission Names Interim Director
The reconstituted State Ethics Commission has named Kathleen Edwards the interim director. Edwards, who has been a commission attorney, will take the lead role until a permanent director is chosen. The commission was merged with the State Board of Elections […]
The reconstituted State Ethics Commission has named Kathleen Edwards the interim director.
Edwards, who has been a commission attorney, will take the lead role until a permanent director is chosen.
The commission was merged with the State Board of Elections then was remade as a stand-alone entity again following the passage of House Bill 1029.
Edwards will have to hire a new staff and try to recover several positions the commission lost when it was merged.
April 8, 2019 •
North Carolina House Files Campaign Reform Bills
The North Carolina House has introduced two bills to reform campaign finance. House Bill 512 submits a referendum to voters urging Congress to pass an amendment to the Constitution of the United States declaring that constitutional rights belong to individuals […]
The North Carolina House has introduced two bills to reform campaign finance.
House Bill 512 submits a referendum to voters urging Congress to pass an amendment to the Constitution of the United States declaring that constitutional rights belong to individuals and not corporations or entities.
The referendum also states that unlimited spending of money on political campaign contributions is not constitutionally protected free speech.
House Bill 510 requires primary elections of Supreme Court, court of appeals, superior, and district court judges to be nonpartisan judicial elections.
The bill also establishes the North Carolina Public Campaign Fund as an alternative source of campaign financing for candidates that demonstrate public support and voluntarily accept strict fund raising and spending.
The fund will be a special, dedicated, non-lapsing, non-reverting fund that participating candidates can use to receive campaign funds.
However, candidates will have higher restrictions on how much money they can receive in contributions and how much they can expend on their campaign.
If passed, House Bill 510 will become effective January 1, 2020.
February 22, 2019 •
North Carolina State Board of Elections Calls for Congressional Redo
The North Carolina State Board of Elections voted unanimously on Thursday in favor of holding a new election in the 9th Congressional District. The election in November between Mark Harris and Dan McCready was riddled with accusations of fraud and […]
The North Carolina State Board of Elections voted unanimously on Thursday in favor of holding a new election in the 9th Congressional District.
The election in November between Mark Harris and Dan McCready was riddled with accusations of fraud and other misconduct.
According to a bill passed late last year, both candidates, if they decide to run, will have to compete in their parties’ primary elections.
January 9, 2019 •
North Carolina Increases Contribution Limits
The North Carolina State Board of Elections increased the contribution limit in the state to $5,400 for candidate committees and others that are subject to legal limits. State law ties the amount to inflation based on the Consumer Price Index, […]
The North Carolina State Board of Elections increased the contribution limit in the state to $5,400 for candidate committees and others that are subject to legal limits.
State law ties the amount to inflation based on the Consumer Price Index, which had a 4.7% increase from July 1, 2016, to July 1, 2018.
The new limit will remain in effect through December 31, 2020.
December 13, 2018 •
Lawmakers Pass a Return to 2016 State Board of Elections Structure
The North Carolina General Assembly passed a bill to return the administration of elections, ethics, and lobbying regulations to the 2016 structure. Voters defeated a constitutional amendment in November to establish an eight-member Bipartisan Board of Elections and Ethics Enforcement, […]
The North Carolina General Assembly passed a bill to return the administration of elections, ethics, and lobbying regulations to the 2016 structure.
Voters defeated a constitutional amendment in November to establish an eight-member Bipartisan Board of Elections and Ethics Enforcement, which would have kept the current structure in place.
An additional provision in the bill requires re-elections when the result of an election is investigated. This would require refiling and participation in a primary and not merely a runoff.
Passage of the voter ID law would not impact any possible 2018 re-election.
The bill further addresses absentee-by-mail ballots which are the topic of the current 9th District board of elections investigation.
The bill now awaits Governor Roy Cooper’s approval.
October 22, 2018 •
North Carolina Special Session Adjourns
On October 15, the North Carolina General Assembly adjourned a special session after passing the Hurricane Florence Emergency Response Act to establish a fund to provide relief and assistance from the effects of Hurricane Florence. The Act also granted funds […]
On October 15, the North Carolina General Assembly adjourned a special session after passing the Hurricane Florence Emergency Response Act to establish a fund to provide relief and assistance from the effects of Hurricane Florence.
The Act also granted funds to the Bipartisan State Board of Elections and Ethics Enforcement to educate the public about voting in the November 2018 election, specifically in counties designated under the disaster declaration by the president.
An October 16 ruling by the Wake County Superior Court found the legislative provisions creating the Bipartisan Board unconstitutional. The court, however, stayed the injunction concerning the activity of the Bipartisan Board until after the November election.
October 9, 2018 •
North Carolina Proposed Constitutional Amendment Concerns Board of Elections and Ethics Enforcement
North Carolina will vote on a constitutional amendment to establish an eight-member Bipartisan Board of Elections and Ethics Enforcement in November. A 2017 law establishing an eight-member board was struck down by the North Carolina Supreme Court because it reduced […]
North Carolina will vote on a constitutional amendment to establish an eight-member Bipartisan Board of Elections and Ethics Enforcement in November.
A 2017 law establishing an eight-member board was struck down by the North Carolina Supreme Court because it reduced the governor’s executive authority and failed to provide representation for unaffiliated voters.
If the amendment passes, majority and minority leaders of the legislature would nominate potential members from which the governor would choose.
September 24, 2018 •
North Carolina to Hold Special Session for Hurricane Recovery
This week, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper issued a call for a special session of the state’s legislature to address damage done by Hurricane Florence. Gov. Cooper intends to call lawmakers back to work on Tuesday, October 2, 2018, to […]
This week, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper issued a call for a special session of the state’s legislature to address damage done by Hurricane Florence.
Gov. Cooper intends to call lawmakers back to work on Tuesday, October 2, 2018, to get state funding approved for recovery efforts.
An official proclamation for the special session has not yet been issued but it is expected in coming weeks.
This will be the third special session called to address hurricane damage in the state’s history.
September 20, 2018 •
North Carolina Extends Due Date of September Report
The North Carolina State Board of Ethics (NCSBE) released a statement this week extending the due date of September lobbyist and principal monthly expense report. The report, originally due on September 14, 2018, will now be due on September 21, […]
The North Carolina State Board of Ethics (NCSBE) released a statement this week extending the due date of September lobbyist and principal monthly expense report.
The report, originally due on September 14, 2018, will now be due on September 21, 2018 because of the effects of Hurricane Florence.
If the extended deadline still cannot be met because of the hurricane, contact the NCSBE.
The monthly report is due only if a lobbyist or principal incurred reportable expenditures in the month of August.
August 24, 2018 •
North Carolina Begins Second Special Session
The North Carolina General Assembly was called into special session yesterday to begin today, August 24, in order rewrite ballot amendment language to shift appointment powers from the governor to the Legislature. Speaker Tim Moore said legislators plan to make […]
The North Carolina General Assembly was called into special session yesterday to begin today, August 24, in order rewrite ballot amendment language to shift appointment powers from the governor to the Legislature.
Speaker Tim Moore said legislators plan to make revisions “because the proposals provide a popular bipartisan balance in our state government that will benefit the people of North Carolina.”
This is the second special session this summer to address the ballot language.
August 23, 2018 •
North Carolina Legislators Mull Special Session
Republican legislative leaders in North Carolina are considering coming back to Raleigh to rewrite two ballot questions because a court blocked them from being voted on in November. Gov. Roy Cooper and the NAACP took issue with the ballot language, […]
Republican legislative leaders in North Carolina are considering coming back to Raleigh to rewrite two ballot questions because a court blocked them from being voted on in November.
Gov. Roy Cooper and the NAACP took issue with the ballot language, and the court ruled in their favor, agreeing the language was unclear.
Legislative leaders, among others in the case, have filed appeals motions.
July 24, 2018 •
North Carolina Lawmakers Convene Special Session
North Carolina lawmakers began a special session today after leadership in the General Assembly hastily announced it yesterday afternoon. The official proclamation states the purpose of the session is “to consider bills concerning any matters the General Assembly wishes to […]
North Carolina lawmakers began a special session today after leadership in the General Assembly hastily announced it yesterday afternoon.
The official proclamation states the purpose of the session is “to consider bills concerning any matters the General Assembly wishes to consider.”
It is anticipated Republican lawmakers will use this special session to pass bills that will impact how six constitutional amendments proposed by the Legislature appear on the ballot.
July 6, 2018 •
North Carolina Legislature Makes Power Grab for Elections and Ethics Board Appointments
After receiving at least three-fifths of the vote in each chamber, the North Carolina Senate gave final approval to a proposed constitutional amendment to alter the way the State Board of Elections and Ethics Enforcement is appointed. The proposal switches […]
After receiving at least three-fifths of the vote in each chamber, the North Carolina Senate gave final approval to a proposed constitutional amendment to alter the way the State Board of Elections and Ethics Enforcement is appointed.
The proposal switches the power to make appointments to the board from the governor to the Legislature.
Previously, Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper had sued Republican legislative leaders multiple times over legislation creating different versions of the joint board.
The amendment requires a simple majority at the ballot box to become effective on January 1, 2019.
State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides research and consulting services for government relations professionals on lobbying laws, procurement lobbying laws, political contribution laws in the United States and Canada. Learn more by visiting stateandfed.com.