2018 constitutional amendments Coverage

Editorial: Will hyper-gerrymandering undo N.C. legislative leaders ideological agenda?

Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022 -- "We have seen in North Carolina precisely how bad things can get when a racially gerrymandered legislature is allowed to run amok and abuse its power in the dying days of its power. And for that reason we ask that you ... rule that a racially gerrymandered General Assembly cannot rely on those racially gerrymandered districts to achieve the supermajority."

NC Supreme Court weighs forced recusal as voter ID case looms

the decision could impact frequent lawsuits over laws passed by the state legislature.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

Lawsuit over voter ID, tax cap amendments heading to NC Supreme Court

The state Court of Appeals has overturned a trial-court ruling voiding amendments to North Carolina's constitution that voters approved two years ago, calling for people to present photo identification at the polls and lowering the cap on the state income tax rate.

NC appeals court upholds voter ID, tax cap amendments

The state Court of Appeals has overturned a trial-court ruling voiding amendments to North Carolina's constitution that voters approved two years ago, calling for people to present photo identification at the polls and lowering the cap on the state income tax rate.

Matthew Burns, WRAL.com senior producer/politics editor

Editorial: Judge offers N.C. a chance to get voter ID law right

Monday, Dec. 30, 2019 -- Instead of predictable partisan outrage, North Carolina's legislative leaders should welcome federal judge Loretta Bigg's decision to temporarily delay implementation of a new law requiring voters produce photo identification at the polling place before they cast their ballots next year. Rather than personally attacking the judge for being "unelected" or "activist," the General Assembly's leadership should embrace the judge's go-slow and get-it-right approach.

Prosecutors say they need guidance on implementing victims' rights amendment

A constitutional amendment North Carolina voters approved last fall to protect the rights of crime victims takes effect in less than three months, but lawmakers still haven't approved funding for it or provided law enforcement any guidance to implement it.

Editorial: Judge's ruling reflects legislative overreach more than judicial activism

Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019 -- Sen. Phil Berger, the Republican Party's most visible and powerful elected state official, complains about "an unrestrained judiciary advancing political theories and political agendas." But he's just distracting attention away from those who really are to blame for the confusion. Berger would best look into the mirror for the source of his discontent.

T. ANTHONY SPEARMAN: Photo ID still aims to suppress minority voters

Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018 -- We ask that you not use these last days of your unlawful time in "People's House" to make another attempt to put in place a plan of enacting a discriminatory photo ID that will suppress the vote of people of color.

Editorial: Open access to N.C. polls needs to be part of voter ID script

Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018 -- If there's one thing state legislative leaders should realize from Monday's legislative committee meeting, it is that it will take more than 150 minutes to learn all that is needed to pass a voter ID law that will encourage, not discourage, voting and be upheld by the courts.

NC lawmakers return with open agenda

State lawmakers will return to Raleigh Nov. 27 for a lame-duck session expected to deal with voter ID and Hurricane Florence relief. Democrats are concerned about what other proposals could emerge in the waning days of the Republicans' veto-proof majority.

Laura Leslie, WRAL Capitol Bureau chief

GOP strategist: People saw power grab in rejected amendments

Marc Rotterman, Republican media strategist, says voters rejected attempts to transfer power from the governor to the legislature as 'inherently wrong."

NC voters in favor of victims' rights, voter ID; other amendments fail

Two controversial proposals to shift appointment powers from the governor to lawmakers went down in flames, while amendments to expand the rights of crime victims, cap state income tax rates and guarantee fishing and hunting in the state passed easily.

Editorial: Vote today

Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018 -- Polling places across North Carolina are open today from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. Voters on line at 7:30 p.m. will be allowed to vote. Don't let others have their say on your behalf. Get out and vote.

COLUMN: Take these governors' advice; Vote NO on 2 Power-grab Constitutional amendments

Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018 -- The N.C. Constitution enshrines the balance of power between executive, legislative and judicial branches government. It wisely gives the governor appointment power for judicial replacements and the Board of Ethics and Elections Enforcement. Let's keep it that way. Support the Constitution and its balance of powers. Keep the legislature in its place to enact laws, not enforce them. Vote against both amendments.

Official explanations of six proposed amendments

These explanations were written by the N.C. Constitutional Amendments Publication Commisssion.

Update: House passes new constitutional amendments language

Cooper says language "remain deceptive, unconstitutional and wrong."

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

NCGA leadership releases new constitutional amendment language

Amendments still shift appointments authority from the governor, but not as much. Ballot descriptions changed, too.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

Lawmakers call another special session on proposed amendments

The Republican leaders of the General Assembly are calling lawmakers back into session to rewrite ballot descriptions of two proposed constitutional amendments they want on voters' ballots in November.

Tyler Dukes, WRAL public records reporter and Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

All former NC chief justices voice opposition to 2 amendments

As the North Carolina General Assembly leadership prepares its appeal to a Tuesday decision that would keep two of six proposed constitutional amendments off the November ballot, all six of the former chief justices of the state Supreme Court came out against them.

Laura Leslie, WRAL capitol bureau chief

Notice of appeal filed in amendments case, but special session possible

Berger and Moore look to take their case to the state Court of Appeals, but a special session on ballot language discussed.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

Three-judge panel pulls two amendments from N.C. ballots

Cooper wins lawsuit for now, court orders state not to print ballots with appointment-shifting amendment language.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter, Laura Leslie, WRAL Capitol Bureau chief

5 former NC governors meet to protest proposed amendments

Five former North Carolina governors will come together Monday at the old state capital to stand united against two proposed constitutional amendments that would shift more power from the governor to the legislature.

Do you understand the proposed amendments to the state constitution?

A group charged with making sure voters understand suggested changes to the state constitution meets Monday.