The North Carolina Board of Elections has announced significant changes in its leadership, oversight, and federal compliance. These measures are aimed at addressing issues related to partisan management and enhancing election integrity.
According to AP News, Republican lawmakers in North Carolina have successfully transferred the appointment authority for the State Board of Elections from the governor to the state auditor. This move concludes a long-standing struggle between the legislature and the executive branch. Auditor Dave Boliek subsequently appointed a new five-member board with a Republican majority. This change is part of a decade-long effort by the GOP to reduce Democratic control over election administration.
Carolina Public Press reports that Auditor Boliek, empowered by a court-upheld law, appointed former Civitas Institute head Francis DeLuca as chairman along with two other Republicans. This replaced the prior Democratic-led majority and saw Executive Director Karen Brinson Bell replaced by Sam Hayes. The appointments mark a significant shift in the board’s ideological balance.
The U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit on May 27, 2025, accusing the Board of failing to maintain accurate voter registration rolls and using noncompliant forms that omitted required driver's license or Social Security number fields, which violates the Help America Vote Act. In response, Hayes committed to ensuring full federal compliance.
The North Carolina State Board of Elections is an independent state agency responsible for overseeing and administering election processes and campaign finance regulations across 100 counties. With its headquarters in Raleigh and led by Executive Director Sam Hayes, it operates under state law to govern elections impartially.