The Democratic National Committee (DNC) just made a big bet. This settlement will protect the voting rights of approximately 98,000 North Carolina residents. This slightly unusual intervention was prompted by a recent decision from the North Carolina Court of Appeals. The court ordered the state’s board of elections to obtain more information from voters and bring them into compliance to enable them to vote in upcoming elections.
The Republican-majority board made moves to comply with the court’s order, at first. But then the DNC, along with many other advocates for voting rights, sued to stop this from happening. Their actions were aimed at ensuring that all eligible voters in North Carolina retain their right to vote without unnecessary barriers.
Dan Freeman, DNC litigation director, was among those noting the importance of this change.
“Today, the DNC successfully defended the rights of all North Carolinians, full stop,” – Dan Freeman, DNC litigation director.
Freeman further underscored how the agreement represents a historic breakthrough. We need to do more, much more, to make sure each and every North Carolina voter can express their preference in state and local elections.
“Though there is still work to do to ensure that North Carolina voters’ voices are heard in state and local elections, this is a huge victory for the DNC and our entire democracy. Democrats will never stop fighting for the rights of all North Carolina voters,” – Dan Freeman, DNC litigation director.
The adoption of the case The Roberts v. Perhaps most importantly, it showcases the rapidly changing direction of the federal Department of Justice’s civil rights division under Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon. The division has played a consequential role in protecting and ensuring fair voting access across North Carolina. The DNC is hailing this agreement as a huge win for their party. They view it too as a victory for the broader democratic process.
The proposed settlement still awaits the approval of Judge Richard E. Myers II, chief of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. Only then is it able to have the intended impact. This case may end up redefining how North Carolina administers the right to vote. Most importantly, it would establish significant precedents for the same kind of cases across the country.
Patrick Gannon, the public information director at the state board of elections, sounded the alarm. He cautioned that complying with the court’s order would place additional burdens on voters, likely disenfranchising hundreds of thousands of people. It was the DNC’s intervention, though, that was most critical in preventing these potential stopping points.
Negotiations continue, and litigation continues to develop. Stakeholders are continuing to monitor the situation and are deeply dedicated to making sure that every eligible North Carolinian is able to take part in the state’s fast-approaching elections without hassle. The DNC’s concerted push is a prime example of the party’s continued focus on defending and expanding voting access and encouraging democratic engagement.