Protesters push back on NC elections bill as debate continues
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Protesters were back at the North Carolina Legislature for a second straight day Wednesday, speaking out against a proposed elections bill that critics say could make the state's voting system more partisan.
The demonstrations come as lawmakers continue to debate a revised version of House Bill 958, which was first introduced last year. The updated bill moved quickly through committee Tuesday but was unexpectedly pulled from the House Rules Committee later that same day.
Opponents, including Democrats and voting rights groups, argue the bill could hurt voter access and say the process has lacked transparency. Supporters, mostly Republicans, say the changes would strengthen election integrity, simplify how elections are run and give the State Auditor more oversight.
The proposal includes several notable changes, like banning election officials from encouraging voter turnout, adding more political appointees to the State Board of Elections and expanding the State Auditor's role in investigating election fraud.
Advocacy groups like Common Cause North Carolina say they're concerned about how those changes could affect elections moving forward.
"Despite the fact that partisans have been in these positions, they have not used their partisan influence and partisan power in the way that folks these days are using it across the state," said Brooks Fuller, the policy director for Common Cause NC. "So, this is not just an isolated part of this bill, this is part of a partisan playbook."
Right now, the bill can't move forward without going back through the House Rules Committee, the same committee that pulled it earlier this week.
Still, some opponents say they're hopeful the delay means lawmakers are listening to public concerns.
"I have boundless hope that the power of the people will get politicians, if they try hard enough, to listen and to slow down a bad bill and an anti-voter bill," Fuller said. "I have boundless faith in the people to do that. I only hope the people in that building listen to them. I think what you saw yesterday is evidence they might be doing that."
For now, it's unclear when -- or if -- the bill will come up for a full vote, as debate continues over its potential impact on North Carolina elections.
