Politics

Stung by defection, N.C. Dems want party switches to spur special elections

The move comes two months after Rep. Tricia Cotham’s party affiliation change gave Republicans a veto-proof majority.
North Carolina state Rep. Tricia Cotham announces she is switching affiliation to the Republican Party at a news conference Wednesday, April 5, 2023, at the North Carolina Republican Party headquarters in Raleigh, N.C. The change gives Republican state legislators a veto-proof supermajority in both chambers. (AP Photo/Hannah Schoenbaum)

North Carolina Democrats bitter over a recent party switch that handed Republicans supermajority control of the state legislature want to force future legislators who decide to join a separate party to face voters in a special election.

Sens. Natasha Marcus (D), Michael Garrett (D) and Sydney Batch (D) on Tuesday filed legislation that would require sitting state legislators to face a special election within 90 days after realigning with a new party. The bill would also allow donors to the party switcher’s campaign to request contribution refunds within 30 days.

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