Two US House committees, led by Republicans Jim Jordan and Bryan Steil, are seeking answers from the North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE) regarding the board’s decision to deny petitions from third-party candidates aiming to be on the November ballot. The NCSBE’s action has raised concerns about potential political motivations and allegations of influencing the 2024 presidential election.
The We the People Party, Justice For All Party, and Constitution Party of North Carolina had each met the required number of petition signatures to qualify for the ballot, but the NCSBE voted against certifying them, citing concerns about fraudulent signatures. The decision has left candidates such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Cornel West off the November ballot.
Jordan and Steil argue that the NCSBE’s decision appears politically motivated, with Democrat board members voting to reject the petitions based on technicalities and outside pressure. The committees are requesting documents and information from the NCSBE by July 8 to investigate the decision further.
The NCSBE has stated that no final decision has been made on the third-party organizations, and they are reviewing the petitions further to determine if they meet the requirements of state law. The board is also planning to address allegations of fraud and misrepresentation at a later meeting.
The House committees with oversight of presidential and federal elections are looking into the NCSBE’s decision to ensure fairness and transparency in the electoral process. The ongoing scrutiny highlights concerns about third-party candidates’ access to the ballot and the potential impact on future elections.
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