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North Carolina Operative Charged In Congressional Ballot Case
The rural North Carolina political operative who for nearly a decade delivered votes for candidates who paid him is facing criminal charges.
Leslie McCrae Dowless on Wednesday was charged with illegal ballot handling and conspiracy in the 2018 Republican primary and in the 2016 elections. Four people who'd worked for him were also charged.
North Carolina law makes it illegal for anyone other than a voter or their immediate family to handle a mail-in ballot.
The charges came less than a week after the state elections board decided his work on behalf of Republican Mark Harris, starting with the 2018 primary, tainted the GOP candidate's apparent November victory in the 9th Congressional District.
April 30 Congressional Primary Set After Walter Jones' Death
Gov. Roy Cooper has set election dates to fill an eastern North Carolina congressional seat left empty after this month's death of Republican Rep. Walter Jones Jr.
Cooper's proclamation Wednesday directs 3rd Congressional District primary elections for April 30, based on candidate filing next week.
The general election would be July 9. But a primary runoff would be held that day instead, if a leading candidate in a primary doesn't get more than 30 percent of the vote. In that case, the general election would be Sept. 10.
Land Condemnation Limit For Constitution Clears House Again
The North Carolina House is taking another crack at putting a constitutional amendment on the ballot that would affirm when state and local governments are prohibited from taking private property against the owner's will.
The chamber voted 94-21 on Wednesday for the proposed amendment on eminent domain, which could be placed on the statewide ballot in March 2020. The House has passed similar proposed referendums several times since the 2000s, but the Senate hasn't gone along.
The language makes clear condemnation of private property by state or local governments is barred except for a "public use." The issue gained interest following a 2005 U.S. Supreme Court decision.
Legislators Give Final OK To Keep Court Of Appeals At 15
The North Carolina Court of Appeals should remain at 15 judges with legislation now heading to Gov. Roy Cooper's desk that repeals a 2017 law Republicans pushed that would reduce its seats to 12.
The House gave final legislative approval to the measure on Wednesday. It should end litigation Cooper filed challenging the law, which directs three judgeships be eliminated as vacancies arise. No eliminations have yet occurred.
Protective Order Issued Against North Carolina Lawmaker
A state judge has issued a long-term protective order against a North Carolina state legislator after determining text messages that his now-estranged wife received amounted to "mental harassment."
Judge Fritz Mercer granted on Tuesday the domestic violence protective order requested by the wife of two-term Rep. Cody Henson of Transylvania County. A temporary order had been issued a few weeks ago.
Mercer said none of Henson's texts were threatening but reflected "somebody who does not want this marriage to be over."
Kelsey Henson had asked for help to keep her and the couple's children safe. Mercer's order is effective until next January.
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