Governor Cooper’s Vetoes of House Bill 3 and Senate Bill 3

CHARLOTTE, NC – On July 27, Governor Roy Cooper vetoed House Bill 3, Ballot Designations/Referenda, and Senate Bill 3, Party Disclosure/2018 Judicial Races. House Bill 3 would create misleading ballot descriptions of constitutional amendments on the November ballot. The short titles of six constitutional amendments would appear on the ballot without additional captions to explain the proposed amendments. Senate Bill 3 would remove the political affiliation of a Republican Supreme Court candidate, Chris Anglin, from the ballot this fall.

The legislature will reconvene over the weekend to override Governor Cooper’s vetoes of House Bill 3 and Senate Bill 3. The North Carolina Board of Elections and Ethics Enforcement set a deadline of August 8, 2018, for the General Assembly to finalize the November ballot. The North Carolina Constitutional Amendments Publication Commission is responsible for writing an explanation of amendments by August 23, 2018, to be available for voters at county boards of elections.

“Senate Bill 3 and House Bill 3 create voter confusion and deceive the public. The constitutional amendments would make it harder to vote and roll back basic checks and balances in state government. Voters deserve to participate in a fair election,” said Senator Joyce Waddell.