RALEIGH, N.C. (WHKY) – North Carolina Governor Josh Stein has vetoed House Bill 958, which would make several changes to the state’s election laws, but a Burke County lawmaker says House Republicans plan to try to override the veto.

According to NC Newsline, Representative Hugh Blackwell, a Republican from Burke County and chairman of the House Election Law Committee, says House Republicans will move forward with an override attempt.

According to the published report, Blackwell defended House Bill 958, saying the legislation includes what he called practical election reforms designed to give voters greater confidence that every lawful vote is counted fairly and accurately. Blackwell also criticized Stein’s veto, saying the governor is putting politics ahead of what he described as common sense and the peace of mind voters should have when they cast their ballots.

House Bill 958 would reduce early voting periods during primaries and special elections, require the state auditor to conduct post-election audits of county election systems, and use federal databases to identify people who may have died but remain on voter rolls.

The published report outlines that Republicans say the measures would improve election security and efficiency. Democrats argue the bill would make voting more difficult and give Republicans greater control over election administration.

Stein announced the veto Monday (August 17) at the Executive Mansion, saying the legislation would undermine voting rights. The bill passed both chambers along party lines, with Republicans supporting it and Democrats opposing it.

Republicans have enough votes in the Senate to override a gubernatorial veto, but they do not have the three-fifths majority required in the House. That means Blackwell and other House Republicans would need support from Democrats or unaffiliated lawmakers to successfully override the veto.

Republican legislative leaders have said they do not plan to take additional votes this year until after the November election. Any override effort on House Bill 958 could therefore come after the election.

[Information for this story courtesy of www.ncnewsline.com and the Office of Governor Josh Stein]