NC lawmakers plan votes Tuesday on election, alcohol rules

State lawmakers returning to Raleigh next week to continue the General Assembly's 2023 session will consider one bill overhauling the State Board of Elections and another loosening state alcohol laws.

Both bills are controversial, and the idea behind the elections bill has been the subject of a long and bitter partisan fight over control of important state election decisions.

Those changes are part of Senate Bill 749, the second major elections bill of this legislative session. Gov. Roy Cooper already vetoed the first, which the legislature's Republican supermajority will likely override and make law, potentially as soon as next week.

The second bill would change the way the State Board is chosen, moving from a five-member board appointed by the governor to an eight member board appointed by the General Assembly. Where the current board has a 3-2 partisan split, favoring the governor's political party, this board would have an even partisan split.

Among other things, Democrats complain this would deadlock the board on important decisions. Republicans say it's only fair to have a balanced board.

County boards of election would also change, from five-member bodies tilted toward the governor's party to four-member boards with an even split.

This concept has been litigated before, and Democrats got the state Supreme Court to rule a previous Republican attempt unconstitutional. The court has changed since then, though, going from a Democratic majority to a 5-2 Republican majority in last year's elections. Republican lawmakers like their chances if their new proposal comes before the high court.

The proposed alcohol changes are part of Senate Bill 527, which got a committee hearing, but not a vote, in June. A Tuesday afternoon meeting on the bill will likely include that vote, a key step among several the bill must clear to become law.

The measure represents a lengthy rewrite of state alcohol laws, potentially opening the door for Sunday liquor sales and happy hour drink specials, all of which is currently illegal in North Carolina.

Tuesday may prove a momentous day at the statehouse. House Republicans are also expected to hold a closed-door caucus meeting on gambling proposals, and if enough support emerges, legislation to radically expand legalized gambling in the state would be included in a state budget bill lawmakers hope to pass by mid September.