In a unanimous decision on Tuesday, the North Carolina election board accepted the request of the state Democratic Party to have President Biden as the only Democratic presidential candidate. The State Board of Elections, consisting of five members, voted to stick with the candidate lists provided by the Democratic, Republican, and Libertarian parties last month. This decision has sparked controversy and drawn criticism from other candidates and their supporters.
At the board’s December 19 meeting, initial approval was given to the candidate lists, with a plan to reconvene and consider additional names before printing the ballots. Five additional individuals, including U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips, author Marianne Williamson, and media personality Cenk Uygur, had requested to join the presidential primaries but were unsuccessful. Jill Stein from the Green Party also sought to participate. However, it remains unclear which primary another person, Luis Lavin, had requested to run in.
The decision to exclude other Democratic candidates and only include Biden has faced backlash. Marianne Williamson’s campaign expressed disappointment in the board’s decision, stating that it was an attempt to circumvent democracy and protect incumbents rather than overseeing elections in a non-partisan manner. Phillips, another candidate, criticized the move, comparing it to tactics used by Iran and accusing the Democratic Party of disregarding democracy.
State law in North Carolina requires parties to list candidates for president who are “generally advocated and recognized in the news media throughout the United States or in North Carolina.” While the law allows the board to add more candidates who meet this standard, none of the members proposed doing so. Some board members argued that it was appropriate to defer to the wishes of political parties and their primaries designed to select delegates for national conventions.
The decision to include former President Trump on the Republican ballot was made by a 4-1 vote, despite challenges in other states. One voter had challenged Trump’s candidacy, citing his role in the January 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol and arguing that he violated a section of the 14th Amendment. However, the board majority determined that it lacked the authority to consider such a challenge under state law. The challenge has since been appealed to Wake County Superior Court.
As the March primary approaches, the Libertarian Party will have 10 names on its North Carolina presidential primary ballots, and voters will also have the option to cast a “No Preference” vote. Additionally, the No Labels Party, like the Green Party, can offer a presidential ticket for general election ballots in North Carolina.
The decision by the North Carolina election board has raised questions about the democratic process and the role of political parties in selecting candidates. Critics argue that it undermines voter choice and ignores the presence of viable alternative candidates. The controversy surrounding this decision highlights the ongoing debates surrounding the role of political parties and the fairness of primary elections.
This article raises concerns about the board’s decision to exclude other Democratic candidates and only include President Biden on the ballot. It also highlights the inclusion of former President Trump on the Republican ballot despite challenges. The article provides statements from candidates and their campaigns, as well as discussing the legal aspects of the decision. The controversy surrounding this decision serves as a reminder of the ongoing debates surrounding democracy, political parties, and candidate selection.
