RALEIGH, N.C. — The executive director of the North Carolina State Board of Elections has urged a prominent legislator to retract remarks implying that the results of this month’s elections were manipulated, cautioning that such statements could provoke threats against local election officials.
Karen Brinson Bell addressed state Senate leader Phil Berger in a letter, emphasizing that as a significant figure in state governance, his statements have a substantial impact. “When you inform your constituents that an election is being carried out fraudulently, they pay attention,” she stated, responding to comments Berger made during a press conference following the passage of a bill that would shift the authority to appoint the state board from the governor to the state auditor.
As the situation unfolds, the current governor, a Democrat, will remain in office until 2025, while the state auditor is set to be a Republican. This shift in power might also influence the operations of county election boards.
Republican officials have voiced their displeasure with the outcome of a state Supreme Court race, in which GOP candidate Jefferson Griffin led on election night. However, as county boards processed additional absentee and provisional ballots, Griffin found himself trailing Democratic incumbent Allison Riggs, who overcame a significant deficit. Griffin has since requested a recount and filed protests regarding the election results.
Without specifying any particular races, Berger made sweeping statements to the media, indicating a recurring theme of vote counting. He remarked, “We’re witnessing another instance of ‘Count Until Somebody You Want to Win Wins.’”
Brinson Bell refuted Berger’s claims, stating that there is “absolutely no basis in fact” for his allegations. She explained that the county boards, staffed by a mix of Democrats and Republicans, were obligated to count eligible ballots before the canvass finalized last Friday, some finishing their processing only this week.
The recently passed legislation also aims to expedite the counting process for outstanding ballots, enhancing operational efficiency.
Berger’s office did not respond to requests for comments regarding the correspondence from Brinson Bell, marking an unusual situation where an agency leader reaches out to a highly influential lawmaker.
Brinson Bell expressed her concerns about the potential fallout from Berger’s “baseless accusations,” noting that similar accusations had previously driven election workers to leave their positions due to stress and hostility.
In her letter, she noted her fear that misguided individuals might interpret Berger’s statements as a justification for threats or violent actions against election personnel, including those in his local community.
While the state board and county boards maintain bipartisan control, Democrats currently dominate, with Brinson Bell first appointed in 2019 by a Democratic-led board. Should the proposed legislation allowing the Republican auditor, Dave Boliek, to appoint members to the board be enacted, it could jeopardize her position.
Republican lawmakers have expressed frustrations with previous decisions by the board. Berger stated his desire for a board that solely counts votes, devoid of partisan influence.
Despite challenges such as Hurricane Helene’s significant flooding, elections in this pivotal state were managed relatively well. The General Assembly passed measures to provide flexibility to 25 western counties heavily impacted by the storm, resulting in changes to early voting sites and schedules. Some election precincts even operated out of tents on Election Day.