NC House overrides veto of controversial SB 382

SOUTHEASTERN NC (WWAY) — The North Carolina House passed an override of Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto on Senate Bill 382 Wednesday. 

In the house gallery following the 72-46 vote, protesters repeatedly chanted “shame” at lawmakers, with one protester being arrested.  

On Tuesday night, hundreds of protesters in Raleigh marched from the state capital to the General Assembly building, demanding legislators uphold Gov. Cooper’s veto. 

The controversial bill moves $227 million into a Hurricane Helene relief fund, but most of that money can’t be spent until legislators decide on how to use it.  

The bill also strips powers from several incoming Democratic officials including the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and state superintendent. No incoming Republican positions were affected by the bill. 

Rep. Deb Butler (D) of Wilmington calls the bill “dirty politics,” while Rep. Frank Iler (R) of Brunswick County says it balances power.  

“Some of the other issues that were lying dormant during the year got put into that bill and everybody was upset it about it but people want the elections to be more bipartisan,” Iler said. 

“If you will exploit the worst disaster in North Carolina history for political gain, it’s dirty politics,” Butler said. 

Another issue some have with the bill is that it significantly shortens the amount of time election officials have to count ballots.  

The NC Association of Directors of Elections condemned the rule change, citing the lack of time to properly count valid ballots. Brunswick County Board of Elections Director Sara LaVere is the president of the NCADE. 

“NCADE represents election professionals who are deeply committed to conducting free, fair, and accurate elections across North Carolina. Unfortunately, it does not appear that the drafters of SB 382 consulted with election administrators during the drafting process. The timelines and requirements outlined in the legislation do not align with the practical realities of running elections in our state,” LaVere wrote in a NCADE letter. 

Iler says he hears those concerns and that he would be interested in revisiting the issue in the future.  

“Anything that we need to work on we can come back and do another bill to treat but we’re time limited. People still need this money,” Iler said. 

Butler feels the bill ignores the will of the people. 

“Listen North Carolina spoke. They elected Donald Trump and Democrats at the top of North Carolina. That’s what we call balanced government, but the Republicans in Raleigh want none of it,” Butler said. 

Three house Republicans initially voted against the bill when it was brought to the floor last month. 

Although the bill is now law, Gov. Cooper and Governor-Elect Josh Stein say they’re taking legal action against it.