RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper says he is worried about efforts by Republican lawmakers that could give the legislature more control over how and from where judges are chosen.
Cooper told The News & Observer of Raleigh the legislature already has enough power over the judiciary and calls the lawmakers’ latest ideas an attempt “to rig the courts.”
A House committee is examining redrawing election districts for trial court judges.
The committee’s chairman expressed this week interest in linking redistricting to a proposal other Republicans want asking voters to amend the state constitution to overhaul how judges are selected. Judges are chosen in partisan elections. Legislators in some states help pick judges.
The committee reconvenes again next week. Judicial remaps would be subject to Cooper’s veto. A constitutional amendment wouldn’t.
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Information from: The News & Observer, https://www.newsobserver.com
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