RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - The Latest on the (all times local):
3:50 p.m.
A special panel tasked with creating summaries for the public on proposed amendments to the North Carolina Constitution has finally completed its work after courts this week upheld two more referendums for the ballot.
The three-member Constitutional Amendments Publication Commission approved the explanations for the additional amendment questions on Thursday. The amendments would swing powers over filling judicial vacancies and state election board member choices from the governor - currently Democrat Roy Cooper - to the legislature.
The commission’s two Democrats - Secretary of State Elaine Marshall and Attorney General Josh Stein- voted for the two summaries, while the lone Republican voted no, calling language in each speculative.
Since last month, the panel has approved summaries for six amendments going on the November ballot. The explanations will appear in a statewide voters’ guide and go to local elections boards and media outlets.
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11:40 a.m.
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper says he’ll urge voters to oppose all six constitutional amendments this fall.
Cooper’s comments Thursday reflect a more direct stance against all of the referendums.
The November ballot got settled this week when the state Supreme Court declined to block four amendment questions. The Democratic governor had sued to try to halt two amendments that if approved would shift some of his powers to the Republican-controlled legislature.
Earlier this summer, Cooper offered lukewarm words for two amendments addressing crime victims’ rights and hunting and fishing, calling them unnecessary. But he told reporters Thursday he’s going to encourage people to vote no on all six because lawmakers haven’t provided details on how they’d be implemented if approved.
Two other questions address voter identification and income taxes.
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