The chairman of the House Freedom Caucus recently addressed reports that quoted him discussing the possibility of the North Carolina legislature allocating the state's presidential electors to Donald Trump before the votes are counted. Rep. Andy Harris of Maryland clarified that his comments were taken out of context.
The remarks were made during a Republican Party dinner where a pro-Trump activist suggested that legislatures in several states, including North Carolina, could convene on Election Day and allocate their state's electors to Trump. Harris referenced the hurricane-damaged counties in western North Carolina and mentioned the potential impact on disenfranchised voters.
However, current North Carolina law does not appear to allow for such a maneuver. The state's law limits the General Assembly's role in awarding presidential electors to extenuating circumstances after an election if certain steps are not met. Additionally, any attempt to subvert the will of the voters and promote an alternate slate of electors may conflict with the Electoral Count Act.
Despite the attention drawn to Harris' comments, he emphasized that every legal vote should be counted. He also highlighted the successful voting process in western North Carolina and the bipartisan efforts to improve voting access in hurricane-affected counties.
The North Carolina State Board of Elections, comprising both Democratic and Republican members, approved resolutions to expand opportunities for absentee ballot pickup and enhance voting site accessibility in affected areas. The General Assembly passed legislation to implement these changes in the impacted counties.
Early voting in North Carolina, including in hurricane-affected regions, has been robust, with local election workers commended for their efforts to facilitate voter participation. Vice President Kamala Harris emphasized the importance of free and fair elections, urging leaders to prioritize the best interests of the American people.
