Republicans in Congress seek information on NC board’s decision to block third parties
High-ranking Republicans in Congress have requested information from the North Carolina State Board of Elections regarding its decision to deny ballot access to several third-parties. Congressional Republicans suggest that the vote was “politically motivated and may have been done to influence the 2024 presidential election.”
In a letter sent Monday, U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, chair of the House Judiciary Committee, asked the North Carolina board to provide all documents and communications pertaining to its decision not to certify new parties led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Cornel West, both of whom are running independent presidential campaigns.
“The NCSBE’s decision ensures that some otherwise qualified candidates will not garner votes in the November election, which will inevitably influence the election and potentially sway the electoral results,” the letter, also signed by Rep. Bryan Steil, chair of the House Administration Committee, said.
Citing concerns about improper addresses, misleading petition-gatherers and voters who asked their signatures to be removed, the state board’s Democratic majority voted against recognizing the “Justice for All” and “We The People” parties last week.
Unless the decision is reversed, Kennedy and West will be unable to appear on North Carolina’s presidential ballot in November with their respective parties.
The board also voted not to certify the right-wing Constitution Party, which is running anti-abortion activist Randall Terry for president.
However, board chair Alan Hirsch emphasized that last week’s decision was not final and said board members would take a second vote in July after further investigation into the parties.
The vote came after weeks of pressure from Democrats and a group tied to President Joe Biden that is seeking to keep independent presidential challengers off the ballot across the country.
Republicans immediately criticized the decision, suggesting that the board’s Democrats sought to keep candidates off the ballot who might pull votes away from Biden.
“This is one more example of Democrats fracturing trust in America’s democratic institutions and flouting the electoral process in their increasingly desperate attempts to hold onto political power,” Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley said in a statement last week.
Jordan’s letter itself is not a subpoena, though the committee could issue one if board members refuse to comply. The letter requests a response from the board by July 8.
