The former North Carolina elections director, Karen Brinson Bell, who was removed this week in a politically motivated move by Republicans, expressed her hope that the new leadership will approach elections in a nonpartisan manner. She also called for an end to verbal attacks against election officials. Brinson Bell, who has served as the state’s top election official for the past six years, highlighted the challenges she faced during her tenure, such as dealing with hurricanes, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the aftermath of the 2020 election.
In an interview with The Associated Press on Friday, Brinson Bell described the insults and “filthy language” directed at her, attributing it to a lack of understanding about the law and the responsibilities of her job. She noted that election officials nationwide have been threatened and harassed in recent years, especially following the 2020 election and the spread of false claims about fraud.
Brinson Bell emphasized the importance of civility and respect for election professionals, who she described as the caretakers of democracy. She stressed the need for integrity in upholding election rules and ensuring their proper execution.
Brinson Bell’s removal was a result of a law passed last year by state Republicans before losing their legislative supermajority. The law shifted the authority to appoint election board members from the governor to the state auditor. Despite legal challenges, the new board appointed Sam Hayes, the top lawyer for the Republican House speaker, as the new director.
The decision to replace Brinson Bell was met with mixed reactions, with State Senate leader Phil Berger supporting the change and emphasizing the need for decisions based on the law rather than partisan interests. Brinson Bell’s contract expires on May 15, and the new board expressed a desire to move in a “new direction” with different leadership.
Berger, a Republican, dismissed concerns that the board’s decision to select Hayes might result in partisan favoritism towards the GOP, stating, “Everybody who looks at it can decide what they think it looks like.” Brinson Bell, a registered Democrat, emphasized her commitment to nonpartisanship, drawing from her background in election administration and stressing the importance of relying on institutional knowledge and expertise within the board. She expressed hope that Hayes, as the newly appointed caretaker of democracy in the state, would recognize the significance of his role and work collaboratively with the board staff and county election directors.
In states like Wisconsin and North Carolina, the structure of election management varies, with some opting for bipartisan commissions to oversee the process. In Wisconsin, the nonpartisan leader, Meagan Wolfe, faced challenges from Republicans following the 2020 election, despite her appointment being confirmed by the Senate. Similarly, North Carolina’s election board faced criticism from GOP leaders over perceived errors in the 2024 election, leading to prolonged litigation in a state Supreme Court race.
Brinson Bell defended the integrity of the election process in North Carolina, emphasizing the importance of adhering to established rules and not changing them post-election. She expressed concern over potential challenges to election integrity and underscored the need for vigilance in upholding democratic principles.
Looking ahead, Brinson Bell expressed uncertainty about her future but affirmed her commitment to remain an engaged voter in North Carolina.
“Having the same right to vote and express my opinion is just as important to me as it is to them.” —Reported by Cassidy in Atlanta. This report also includes contributions from Associated Press writers Gary D. Robertson in Raleigh, North Carolina, and Scott Bauer in Madison, Wisconsin.
