NC GOP Power Transfers Reshape Utilities, Environmental Regulation, and More

"North Carolina voters have chosen Democrats in three straight elections for governor; the state's Republican-led legislature has countered by siphoning off some of the powers that traditionally came with the job. These power grabs have had a profound effect on both democracy in the state and on the everyday lives of North Carolina residents, Democrats argue. The changes are "weakening environmental protections, raising energy costs, and politicizing election administration," Josh Stein, North Carolina's governor, said in a text message responding to questions from ProPublica."

"Republican leaders in the General Assembly did not respond to requests for comment or emailed questions about the power shifts. In the past, they have defended these actions as reflecting the will of voters, with the senate president describing one key bill as balancing "appointment power between the legislative and executive branches." Former state Sen. Bob Rucho, a Republican picked to sit on the state elections board after lawmakers shifted control from Stein to the Republican state auditor, said the changes would fix problems created by Democrats."

Republican leaders in the North Carolina General Assembly have stripped various powers from the governor after Democrats won three consecutive gubernatorial elections. The reallocated authorities include control over the state elections board and other executive functions. Democrats say these shifts weaken environmental protections, raise energy costs, and politicize election administration. Republican officials characterize the changes as restoring balance and reflecting voter will, with some arguing the moves correct Democratic-era problems. The takeover of the elections board followed a nearly ten-year effort and could influence decisions on early voting locations and rules, potentially affecting outcomes in the 2026 midterms.

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