A Wake County Superior Court Judge has blocked a legislative merge the State Board of Elections and the Ethics Commission into into the Bipartisan State Board of Elections and Ethics Enforcement. 

 

Governor Roy Copper has challenged the law saying it violates the separation of powers clause under the state constitution. 

 

The new law would ensure state and county elections boards have an equal number of Republican and Democratic members. Previously, the party of the governor had the majority of votes. Additionally, four of the state board’s eight members would be appointed by General Assembly leaders. 

 

State attorneys argued Judge Donald Stephens did not have authority to block the law which normally would go to a three-judge panel. Stephens said of Chief Justice Mark Martin appoints a three-judge panel this week, he would drop his injunction.