TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY
Say NO to a Republican Power Grab
Urgent Matter. What you can do to help.
We must fill up the email inboxes and voicemails of our State Senators and Representatives urging them to uphold Governor Cooper’s veto of NC Senate Bill 382 (SB 382).
SB 382 is a despicable Republican power grab flying under the misleading heading “Disaster Relief.”
SB 382 threatens the integrity of our Board of Elections, reduces the accuracy of counting provisional ballots, constrains our Governor, Lt. Governor, and AG, and prevents appeals by the Superintendent of Public Instruction regarding charter school applications.
Democrats call provisions in the bill unconstitutional.
In early December the NC State Legislature will vote to override the veto. Contact them today to urge them to uphold the veto:
Mike Clampitt: NC House 119
Email: Mike.Clampitt@ncleg.gov
Phones: 828.736.6222 and 919.715.3005
Kevin Corbin: NC Senate 50
Email: Kevin.Corbin@ncleg.gov
Phone: 919.733.5875
News clip about the bill:
When the legislature reconvenes as early as December 2, it might try to override the governor’s veto. Our goal is to prevent that from happening. We’re going to try two techniques.
First, contact your state representative and senator and urge them to uphold Cooper’s veto.
Second, let’s focus on the three Republican state representatives who voted against the initial bill. Three Republican State representatives voted against it: Clampitt, Gillespie, and Pless. Please contact them, please thank them for their previous nay votes and encourage them to support the veto. Clampitt: 919-715-3005, Gillespie: 919-733-5859 Pless: 919-733-5732
Sample Phone Script: (Focus on relief; use this especially for Clampitt, Gillespie, and Pless)
Hi, my name is [Your Name], and I’m a constituent from [Your City or County]. I’m asking [Representative/Senator’s Name] to uphold Governor Cooper’s veto of Senate Bill 382. While disaster relief is urgently needed, this bill doesn’t provide the immediate, targeted assistance our neighbors in Western North Carolina need to recover. I’m asking you to uphold the veto so a better bill can be presented—one that prioritizes critical support like rental assistance, small business aid, and homeowner relief. Upholding the veto will show a commitment to putting people first and ensuring effective and focused disaster relief efforts. Thank you for your time and for considering my concerns.
For any email writers: Please uphold Governor Cooper’s veto of Senate Bill 382.
While disaster relief is urgently needed for those impacted by recent hurricanes, I’m deeply concerned that this bill ties critical relief funding to provisions that shift power away from our incoming elected officials. This feels like election-loss retribution and undermines citizens’ faith in our government. North Carolinians need to see leaders working together—not against each other—to rebuild trust and address the pressing challenges of hurricane recovery, such as immediate rental assistance, small business support, and homeowner relief. Upholding this veto is an opportunity to put partisan politics aside, work across the aisle, and truly serve the people of our state. It’s a chance to rebuild what was lost and create a better future. I urge you [Representative/Senator’s Name] to support this veto and ensure that disaster relief efforts remain focused solely on helping those who need it most. Thank you for your time and for considering my concerns.
Background:
https://abc11.com/.../sb-382-north-carolina.../15590377/
State Contact Numbers:
NC House: http://bit.ly/2CVneDK
NC Senate: http://bit.ly/2DamgAn
https://www.ncleg.gov/findyourlegislators
The NCGOP is hoping you won’t notice what they snuck into a bill they’re saying is for hurricane relief. They’re coming after:
- the Board of Elections
- the Lt. Governor’s tiebreaking vote
- the Attorney General’s independence
- our independent judiciary
And more (100 pages’ worth)
Lindsey Prather’s Speech to the NC Legislature 11/19/2024
Buncombe County got clean water back yesterday. 52 days after we lost it in Helene. A storm that caused 3 times the damage of any other storm we’ve faced here in North Carolina. This recovery is different. We cannot use the same playbook we’ve used in the past. We cannot wait for federal aid, because every day that we wait we lose more residents and more businesses.
North Carolinians have been begging us, all of us, to do our job. We are the appropriating body for the state. Clearly we’re aware of that, because we’re appropriating lots of money to lots of other things in this bill. Things that don’t need to be done right now. Things that can wait till next year. We’re putting $1.5 million into establishing the Office of Learning Research, which already exists in some form, compared to the $1 million total that we put into rental assistance for hurricane counties. We have yet to put ANY money into state grants for small businesses to stay open or reopen. We have yet to fully fund the request from DHHS to support our most vulnerable Western families. When the time comes for so many of you to visit your favorite mountain restaurant or rent your favorite cabin for a summer weekend, there is a good chance they won’t be there. And you’re going to wish that you’d done more today. Western North Carolina needs help NOW.
This is a transparent power-grab pushed through by a supermajority that’s not happy with recent election results, and you’re calling it a disaster relief bill. This is shameful, and Western North Carolina isn’t going to stand for it.
How the bill will harm our elections
For the entire bill see SB 382.
Election Board Makeup Changes
Section 3A.3 – On July 1, 2025, administratively moves the State Board from the Secretary of State to the Auditor’s department, with management retained with the State Board but budgeting conducted by the Auditor. As of May 1, 2025, substitutes the State Auditor for the Governor in appointments of the five members of the State Board and the chair of each county board.
Election Administration Changes
3A.4(a) – Requires corrections to VR forms from voters (cures) to come in 3 days after election instead of by the day before canvass. Eliminates 6 days to cure.
3A.4(b) – Requires the use of the State Board’s template voter assistance log at the polling place.
3A.4(c) – Eliminates 6 days to cure HAVA ID required after election day; now noon on the third day after election.
3A.4(d) – Eliminates 6 days the opportunity to return with ID to cure lack of ID at the polls; now noon on the third day after election.
3A.4(e) – Requires counting of all provisional ballots by 5 pm on the third day after Election Day.
3A.4(f) – Request deadline for absentee ballot moved up one week to two weeks before Election Day.
-- Absentee cures cut down 6 days, must be done by noon on Friday after election day.
3A.4(g) – Requires all election day absentees to be counted on election day night in an ongoing meeting starting at 5pm
-- Supplemental absentee meeting is only permitted for UOCAVA ballots
-- Absentee ballot tallies must be announced at 5pm three days after Election Day (meaning all civilian absentees must be tallied included those that could have cured by noon that same day)
3A.4(h) – the above changes become effective Jan. 1, 2025.
Campaign Finance Changes
3A.5(a) – As of Jan. 1, 2025, political parties may use their party headquarters building funds to fund a legal action as defined in G.S. 163-278.300(4) or to make donations to candidate legal expense funds organized under Article 22M of Chapter 163. Building funds may accept unlimited corporate contributions. Candidate legal expense funds may already accept limited corporate contributions.
The people of North Carolina elected Democrats to serve as the Governor, Lt. Governor, and Attorney General to perform the duties of their offices—and Republicans said "if we can't beat them, we will just cheat them."
Republicans Attempt to Strip Josh Stein, Rachel Hunt, Jeff Jackson, and Mo Green of their Elected Duties and Powers
Under the guise of Hurricane Helene relief, Republicans introduced SB 382, a sweeping and blatant power grab that would strip significant power from key offices, undermine fair elections, and threaten democracy and public accountability.
Key provisions of SB 382 include:
Stripping Independence: The bill removes critical powers from offices like the Attorney General and Superintendent of Public Instruction—positions chosen by the voters—and shifts that authority into Republican-controlled hands.
Politicizing Elections: By transferring oversight of the State Board of Elections to the State Auditor, a role Republicans recently claimed, SB 382 undermines trust in election integrity and opens the door to political interference.
Attacking Judicial Independence: SB 382 allows legislative leaders to further interfere with our courts, eroding the judiciary’s ability to serve as a fair and impartial arbiter.
In total, SB 382 represents an unprecedented centralization of power that undermines public trust, weakens our institutions, and prioritizes political partisanship over the needs of the people of North Carolina.
“SB 382 is nothing more than a blatant power grab by Republicans who are punishing North Carolinians for voting them out of power in key offices. By taking control of the State Board of Elections and giving it to a political appointee, Republicans are rigging the rules to benefit their own party, silencing voters, and undermining fair elections. It’s the same story with our courts—Republicans are stacking the judiciary with handpicked partisans and stripping away independence to ensure their agenda always wins, even when voters don’t agree,” said Senate Democratic Leader Dan Blue. “This isn’t governance; it’s retaliation. Retaliation against voters who demanded change and elected leaders committed to fairness and accountability.”
“North Carolinians deserve better than politicians trying to lock in their power at the expense of democracy and disaster recovery,” said House Democratic Leader Roberts Reives. “Instead of working to deliver for families still recovering from Hurricane Helene, Republican leaders are manipulating disaster relief efforts and slowing down much-needed recovery. They’ve made it clear: they care more about consolidating their power than helping people in need.”
“SB 382 is retaliation for voters choosing change, and it’s an insult to everyone who showed up to participate in the last election. This is a lame-duck legislature using Hurricane Helene relief as a smokescreen to push through an egregious power grab,” said NCDP Chair Anderson Clayton. “While North Carolinians are focused on recovering from devastating storms, Republicans are dismantling fair elections, stripping power from voter-elected offices, and stacking the deck to secure their own control. The Democratic Party will not let this abuse of power go unchecked. We stand with the people of North Carolina in fighting for a government that works for everyone—not just those already in power.”
Statement from the Chair:
"They killed us, but they ain't whooped us yet.” William Faulkner.
Folks, I know how hard it is to accept the news today. I fear, as all of you must, for my country, my America, where all people are created equal.
But I think I know you well enough now to say that we won't run away from this loss. We will stay and fight again. And again. And again for as long as it takes.
I know I can speak for your leadership team, how deeply we appreciate all of you. Together for Transylvania (and for America), we did all we could do.
Thank you DEMOCRATS.
Thank you Christy, Rik, Bryan, Joe, David, Sara, Claudia, Mark and Adam. Thank your families for all of us. I know that you were the best candidates. I know how hard each of you worked Together for Transylvania. We celebrate you, your values and your hard work.
It is important to remember there are some big successes also - Mo Green is Superintendent of Public Instruction, Rachel Hunt is Lt Governor, Elaine Marshal remains Secretary of State, Allison Riggs remains on the NC Supreme Court and Jeff Jackson will serve as Attorney General. Our former Attorney General and now Governor Josh Stein will have the power to veto Republican extremist bills and have his veto sustained by the General Assembly because we broke the super majority in the NC House.
Finally, the 3 counties in our state which moved away from Trump the most were - Buncombe, Henderson and Transylvania. Let's celebrate that.
Headquarters will remain open as will our hearts to you.
I will see you all Tuesday November 19th at 7 pm for our monthly meeting.
I am honored to have been Chair of you wonderful Democrats. Deda and I cherish all of you. and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
-Sam Edney
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Our local chapter of NAACP hosts a Moral Mondays weekly gathering on Mondays in Brevard, NC for NAACP’s Moral Monday Witness
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For information contact - MoralMonday@transnaacp.org