A three-judge panel has agreed to delay enforcing its entire ruling that strikes down several parts of the state's election administration law until Dec. 3.
That means county election boards, as well as the state board of elections, have the power to act until after this fall’s election results are certified. Both Governor Roy Cooper and Republican legislative leaders asked the court for the stay.
A majority of the judicial panel ruled last week that the current nine-member structure of the state board of elections is unconstitutional because it fails to give Cooper adequate control over the board. That issue could be moot if voters approve a constitutional amendment on November’s ballot to make the state elections board an 8-member body, appointed by the state legislature.