N.C. Constitution Coverage

Editorial: Does N.C. Constitution really endorse partisan legislative dictatorship?

Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023 -- Did the drafters of North Carolina's state constitution intend for the majority political party in the General Assembly to enshrine itself in power for perpetuity? To follow the contorted logic of state Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Newby, the answer is yes.

Repeal of racist voting test in NC Constitution passes first hurdle

The measure asks voters to approve the removal of an 1899 provision meant to keep newly-freed Black citizens from exercising their right to vote. If approved, it would be on the ballot in fall 2024.

Repeal of racist voting test in NC Constitution passes first hurdle

The measure asks voters to approve the removal of an 1899 provision meant to keep newly-freed Black citizens from exercising their right to vote. If approved, it would be on the ballot in fall 2024.

Laura Leslie, WRAL capitol bureau chief

Editorial: Legislature grasps at a solution in search of a problem

Monday, July 4, 2022 -- Anyone seeking an example of the General Assembly leaderships' backwards approach to dealing with critical issues need look no further than the sudden emergence of a plan to change the way public education is administered -- a proposed State Constitutional amendment .changing how members of the State Board of Education are appointed. It is the classic of a solution in search of a problem.

MELISSA PRICE KROMM: Our kids have waited too long for access to the education the N.C. Constitution promises

Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021 -- An entire generation of North Carolina children has been born, grown-up, and gone through school since the state Supreme Court demanded they receive the education our Constitution guarantees them. The courts have done their job. It's time for state legislators to do theirs.

Fact check: Are atheists 'prohibited from holding office' in North Carolina and 7 other states?

A popular Instagram post says atheists are prohibited from holding office in North Carolina and seven other states. PolitiFact finds there's some truth to that claim.

Jeff Cercone, PolitiFact reporter

Lawmakers try again to remove literacy test, a Jim Crow relic, from NC constitution

North Carolina's constitution still requires a literacy test for voting, a Jim Crow-era tactic used to exclude Black voters. NC voters in 1970 refused to remove it. State House lawmakers want to try again in 2022.

Laura Leslie, WRAL Capitol Bureau chief

House panel OKs regulations for alcoholic foods

The House Judiciary 2 committee takes up a bill to regulate foods that contain alcohol and a proposed amendment to delete a literacy test for voting from the state constitution.

North Carolina lawmakers hope to repeal voter literacy test

North Carolina's constitution still includes an unenforceable relic of the Jim Crow era -- a voter literacy test. Some state lawmakers are trying, again, to do away with it.

Editorial: Keep N.C. courts independent; judges impartial

Friday, Oct. 16, 2020 -- North Carolina needs independent judges who: Know the law and follow the Constitution; Use that knowledge and understanding to apply it fairly - regardless of the plaintiffs or defendants; Are elected to office on a non-partisan basis and have the opportunity of publicly funded campaigns.

Editorial: With agreement on facts, now implement solutions to bring quality education to all

Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020 -- Superior Court Judge David Lee will have the opportunity to determine if North Carolina is moving properly in the agreed-upon direction. Then the General Assembly will need to pass the laws to fulfill the order. All North Carolinians will be able to watch and see if their legislators provide the means to be sure every child gets access to the quality education our State Constitution is supposed to guarantee.

Editorial: Judge offers N.C. a chance to get voter ID law right

Monday, Dec. 30, 2019 -- Instead of predictable partisan outrage, North Carolina's legislative leaders should welcome federal judge Loretta Bigg's decision to temporarily delay implementation of a new law requiring voters produce photo identification at the polling place before they cast their ballots next year. Rather than personally attacking the judge for being "unelected" or "activist," the General Assembly's leadership should embrace the judge's go-slow and get-it-right approach.

Editorial: Tillman offers 'EXHIBIT A' of illegal gerrymandered congressional maps

Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019 -- When the courts look to the motivation behind the latest version of North Carolina's 13 congressional districts, the lecture from state Sen. Jerry Tillman will be EXHIBIT A. The legislative majority's goal in creating the latest version of congressional districts was, to paraphrase another legislator's now famous words, if they couldn't draw districts to give the legislature's majority party a 10-3 advantage, they'd draw them to give the party an 8-5 majority.

Remnant of Jim Crow era remains in NC constitution

In the national debate over race and racism, people sometimes forget how recently racial discrimination was written into the law. In North Carolina, it still is.

Laura Leslie, WRAL Capitol Bureau chief

Literacy test remains part of NC constitution, but lawmakers want to get rid of it

In the national debate over race and racism, people sometimes forget how recently racial discrimination was written into the law. In North Carolina, it still is.

Court sides with legislature: Amendment language OK

A unanimous three-judge panel turns back Gov. Roy Cooper's argument that ballot language is misleading, appeal likely to Supreme Court.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

Three proposed constitutional amendments on deck this week

Legislative leaders said last week they might roll out as many as a half-dozen constitutional amendments for the November ballot. The first three are now public.

Laura Leslie, WRAL Capitol Bureau chief

Values group dings McCrory over constitutional claims

The N.C. Values Coalition contrasts Gov. Pat McCrory's bid to preserve his constitutional powers against his stance on North Carolina's marriage amendment.

Mark Binker

US Supreme Court cases unlikely to impact NC marriage amendment

The U.S. Supreme Court is going to review two important cases with regard to same sex marriage law, but legal experts say it's unlikely their rulings would be sweeping enough to directly impact North Carolina's recently passed constitutional amendment.

Mark Binker