Raleigh, N.C. — Governor Josh Stein, a Democrat, used his veto power on Monday to block two pieces of legislation passed by the General Assembly. The first bill, House Bill 958, would have reduced the primary election early‑voting period from 17 days to 10, while the second, House Bill 377, would have let the state Supreme Court chief justice suspend trial judges without pay while they are under investigation for misconduct.
Judicial suspension bill
HB 377 contained several technical updates to court procedures, but its most contentious provision would have permitted the chief justice to suspend a trial judge without pay if the Judicial Standards Commission found that the judge’s continued service would cause “immediate and irreparable injury, loss or damage” to the public or the administration of justice. The bill also removed the requirement that the Supreme Court base reprimand, censure or removal decisions on a written recommendation from the commission, allowing a majority of the justices to decide on their own.
In his veto message, Stein warned that the measure could enable the Republican‑majority Supreme Court to politicize judicial discipline. “North Carolina voters elect the vast majority of our judges, and removing judges from their posts should first and foremost be determined by the people,” he wrote, adding that the General Assembly has a history of politicizing the judiciary.
House Speaker Destin Hall, R‑Caldwell, acknowledged concerns about politicization but argued the bill required a high level of alleged misconduct before a judge could be suspended without pay. He cited examples such as a judge facing criminal charges, saying most people would agree that a judge in such trouble should not continue to be paid.
Primary early‑voting bill
HB 958 sought to shorten the primary early‑voting window by a week, dropping it from 17 days to 10 while leaving the general‑election early‑voting period unchanged. The bill also would have extended the deadline for challenging early‑voted ballots to three days after Election Day, required the state auditor to conduct post‑election audits in randomly selected counties, and mandated the Division of Motor Vehicles share Social Security numbers with the State Board of Elections each month for voter‑registration maintenance.
Stein highlighted the popularity of early voting, noting that about 200,000 North Carolinians voted during the first week of the primary’s early‑voting period this year, and a total of 701,000 voted early in the 2026 primary. “Your leaders should respect your vote, not restrict it,” he said during the veto ceremony.
The governor framed the bill as part of a “years‑long effort by Republicans in the General Assembly of partisan attacks on our elections and on your vote,” referencing the state’s voter‑ID law, past attempts to discard tens of thousands of ballots, and recent legislative moves that shifted election‑appointment authority from the governor to the state auditor.
Political fallout
Republicans in the House, led by Speaker Hall, have vowed to attempt an override when the legislature reconvenes in November. Overriding a governor’s veto in North Carolina requires a three‑fifths vote in both chambers. While Republicans hold a numerical advantage, a few swing Democrats and unaffiliated members could prove decisive. Rep. Carla Cunningham, UNA‑Mecklenburg, voted with Republicans on the judicial bill, and Rep. Nasif Majeed, UNA‑Mecklenburg, was absent for the vote on the election bill.
Rep. Hugh Blackwell, R‑Burke, defended the election bill, calling it “practical election reform” that would increase confidence in the voting process. He criticized Stein’s veto as putting politics ahead of common‑sense safeguards for voters.
The governor concluded his remarks by urging citizens to contact their legislators and ask them not to override his vetoes, emphasizing the importance of preserving both voter access and an independent judiciary.
Original reporting: Carolina Public Press — read the source article.
