Election 2024 Archives

North Carolina Supreme Court passing for now on ruling if ballots in close race are valid

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The North Carolina Supreme Court has dismissed a request by the trailing candidate in an close race for a seat on the court to rule now on whether well over 60,000 ballots should be removed from the tally. The justices on Wednesday ordered that the appeals of Republican Jefferson Griffin should be heard by the local trial court, as state law directs how appeals of protests rejected by the State Board of Elections should be handled. Current Democratic Associate Justice Allison Riggs leads Griffin by 734 votes. Riggs has recused herself from the court’s deliberations. It’s possible the case could ultimately return to the justices.… Continue Reading

Trump swearing-in will move inside Capitol Rotunda because of intense cold

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump will take the oath of office from inside the Capitol Rotunda on Monday due to forecasts of intense cold weather.Inaugural planners are discussing the possibility of moving Trump’s swearing-in inside due to the extreme temperatures and icy winds, the person said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss the planning before a final announcement was made. The Rotunda is prepared as the inclement weather alternative for each inauguration and a final decision would be up to the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies in consultation with the Trump, the person said.… Continue Reading

Approaching winter weather cancels North Carolina inauguration ceremony

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina’s public inauguration ceremony scheduled for Saturday for new Gov. Josh Stein and other statewide elected officials has been canceled because of approaching winter weather. The state inaugural committee announced the decision Wednesday. It was supposed to be held on the grounds of the old Capitol building in Raleigh. Stein and Council of State members were to be sworn in publicly. A little snow with sleet and freezing rain is anticipated for Friday and Saturday. Stein and several Council of State members already have taken their official oaths in private or in small ceremonies. A block party for Saturday also was canceled but may be rescheduled.… Continue Reading

North Carolina justices block certification of election outcome in race for one of its own seats

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina’s Supreme Court has blocked the certification of a November election result for one of the seats on its court so it can review legal arguments by a trailing candidate. The Republican-dominated court on Tuesday issued the temporary stay sought by GOP candidate Jefferson Griffin. He is trailing Democratic Associate Justice Allison Riggs by just 734 votes. Griffin wants over 60,000 ballots removed from the tally because he contends they were cast improperly. Without the stay, the state was prepared to issue a certificate for Riggs on Friday confirming her victory. The stay was issued after a federal judge said a state court should consider Griffin’s litigation.cc… Continue Reading

Last North Carolina legislative races get finalized, confirming GOP loss of veto-proof control

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina General Assembly elections have been finalized and confirm that Republicans have lost their veto-proof control of the legislature after nearly two years. Election officials issued on Monday certificates to the winners in three close legislative races from November. The defeat of state Rep. Frank Sossamon to Democrat Bryan Cohn means Republicans are one seat shy of holding a veto-proof majority at the legislature. Now the veto stamp of new Democratic Gov. Josh Stein could be more effective in blocking GOP measures that he opposes. Opening day of the next two-year General Assembly session is Wednesday.… Continue Reading

Congress convenes to certify Trump’s election win, but his Jan. 6 legacy hangs over the day

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress has convened under heavy security and a snowstorm to certify the 2024 election results for President-elect Donald Trump, with the reading of the electoral results from the states coming swiftly and without unrest. The legacy of Jan. 6, 2021, hangs over Monday’s proceedings as the Republican who tried to overturn the previous election is legitimately returning to power. As lawmakers gathered, the tightest national security is in place. It’s a reminder of what happened at the U.S. Capitol four years ago, when a defeated Trump sent a mob to “fight like hell.” Republicans who challenged Trump’s 2020 defeat support his White House return. Democrats accept the choice of the American voters.… Continue Reading

House Ethics Committee accuses Gaetz of ‘regularly’ paying for sex, including with 17-year-old girl

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House Ethics Committee has accused Matt Gaetz of “regularly” paying for sex, including with a 17-year-old girl, and purchasing and using illicit drugs all while the Florida Republican was a member of Congress. The 37-page report by the bipartisan panel includes explicit details of sex-filled parties and vacations that Gaetz took part in while representing Florida’s western panhandle. The findings conclude that he violated multiple state laws related to sexual misconduct while in office. Gaetz has denied all wrongdoing and filed a lawsuit Monday trying to block the report’s release.… Continue Reading

Democratic governors hammered Trump before the election. Now they’re hoping to work with him

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A handful of prominent Democratic governors are quickly adjusting their approach to President-elect Donald Trump before he takes office in January. They’re moving to avoid antagonizing Trump in hopes of establishing a working relationship with his administration. Democratic governors in New Jersey, New York, Michigan and elsewhere are adopting caution while also weighing their party’s desires to launch broadsides at Trump and stake out early positions against his agenda. In many cases, the strategy appears to be one of wait-and-see just how Trump’s policies on immigration, health care and reproductive rights take shape once he gets in office.… Continue Reading

More Roy Cooper lieutenants staying on the job in North Carolina Gov.-elect Stein’s Cabinet

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Several more top lieutenants of outgoing North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper have agreed to work for fellow Democrat and successor Josh Stein’s administration. They include Cooper’s transportation and public safety secretaries and the state budget director — all of whom will stay in their current posts. Each of them have had significant roles responding to Hurricane Helene. Stein already said this week that two other Cooper department secretaries will be on his team as well — albeit leading new departments Stein was elected governor last month and will take his oath of office early in the new year.… Continue Reading

Current, future North Carolina governor’s challenge of power-shifting law could be first of many

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and Gov.-elect Josh Stein have challenged a portion of a law just enacted by the Republican-dominated General Assembly that erodes Stein’s powers and those of other top Democrats elected last month. The lawsuit filed Thursday in state court focuses on a provision that would prevent Stein from picking his own commander of the State Highway Patrol. More court challenges are likely because the bill enacted Wednesday with a veto override seeks to weaken Stein and others elsewhere. Later this month, Cooper leaves office after eight years. Republican lawmakers didn’t immediately respond to the lawsuit.… Continue Reading