North Carolina
North Carolina Democrats blast GOP elections bill, but may need help from public, courts to stop it
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Democratic lawmakers said Monday that a Republican bill containing election and ballot changes that Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper previously vetoed, as well as new measures, would harm democracy and embrace unfounded election fraud allegations if enacted.
Democrats attempted to sound an alarm during a Legislative Building news conference about the proposal that Senate Republicans unveiled last week and that could be debated this week.
Monday’s speakers acknowledged it’ll likely take vocal opposition to the proposed changes by the public, or possibly judges, to halt or modify the measure, given that Republicans hold veto-proof majorities in both chambers following electoral gains last fall and a House Democrat’s party switch to the GOP in April.
The new, omnibus bill in part would move up the deadline for an absentee ballot received by election official to count and create new hurdles before people who register in an election’s final days can get their votes tallied. The Republican bill’s authors say the measure will boost the public’s trust in voting outcomes and modernize the state’s election system.
With North Carolina expected to again be a closely divided state during the 2024 election — with races for president and governor on the ballot — even small adjustments to election regulations could affect outcomes.
Three sections of the bill contain language that Cooper successfully blocked over the past four years because Democrats had enough seats then to uphold his vetoes.
“We will continue to talk to our colleagues. But at some point, what we’re hoping is by bringing attention to this that people in the public — Republicans or Democrats — will look and say, ‘You know, guys, this is getting to be a bit much,’” said House Minority Leader Robert Reives of Chatham County, adding later: “I would hope that our courts would take this seriously.”
One previously vetoed item contained in the bill would remove the state’s three-day grace period after an election for a traditional absentee ballot to arrive by mail for it to be counted. Instead, any such ballot submitted to a county board of elections office after 7:30 p.m. on the day of the election — which is when polls close statewide — wouldn’t count.
“A lot of voters won’t know about the change, and they won’t know that their ballot’s been thrown out until it’s too late,” said Sen. Natasha Marcus, a Mecklenburg County Democrat.
Republicans again are trying to prohibit election boards and officials in counties from accepting private money to administer elections, a proposal that Cooper vetoed in 2021. And Cooper vetoed a measure — its content also in the new bill — that would tell state courts to send information to election officials about potential jurors being disqualified because they aren’t U.S. citizens for their eventual removal from voter rolls.
The bill also would require anyone who completes same-day registration at an early in-person voting site to cast a provisional ballot, which can be more easily challenged after an election. The vote would be tabulated only if the voter’s address is verified through mail or if the person provides an identification document on the day of the election.
The measure would allow the public to inspect envelopes that contain absentee ballots at meetings of county elections boards where board members decide whether ballots received should be counted.
Senate Minority Leader Dan Blue of Wake County also criticized how an adviser to President Donald Trump during his fight to overturn the 2020 election attempted to influence the legislation’s content.
Cleta Mitchell, a lawyer who now lives in North Carolina, leads the Election Integrity Network. A bill sponsor said last week he spoke to Mitchell about her concerns with election administration in the days before the bill was filed.
Republicans “continue to peddle the biggest threat to election integrity — ‘the big lie,’” Blue said, referencing Trump’s label for the 2020 presidential election outcome. He called Mitchell’s hand in the legislation “deeply troubling.”
The sponsor and Senate leader Phil Berger, a Rockingham County Republican, said Mitchell had no role in drafting the bill. Mitchell didn’t immediately respond Monday to an email and text seeking comment, but told WRAL-TV last week that she didn’t personally write any of the bill.
Berger spokesperson Randy Brechbiel said in a written statement that “it would be in the best interest of all North Carolinians if Democrats stop pushing false, inflammatory rhetoric and instead join Republicans in strengthening the integrity of our elections.”
North Carolina
Alabama man on work trip stops to buy $3 quick pick Powerball ticket, wins 6-figure jackpot
Christopher Baker of Leesburg, Alabama was on a work trip in Hickory, North Carolina, when he thought he’d try his luck on a lotto game. It turned out to be a lucrative Powerball win.
An Alabama man on a work trip in North Carolina bought a $3 Quick Pick Powerball ticket on a whim and walked away with a six-figure windfall.
Christopher Baker of Leesburg in northeastern Alabama bought his lucky ticket in July in Hickory, North Carolina, where had been traveling for work, according to Powerball.
When the numbers were drawn, Baker says he had to do a double-take when he realized he had a $100,000 winning ticket. He had matched four white balls and the red Powerball, which would have been $50,000, but a 2X multiplier doubled the win and the disbelief.
“I just kept looking at it to make sure I was reading it right,” he laughed, according to Powerball. “I told my family but they didn’t believe me. either.”
Baker, who called his win “a shocker.” said he plans to save his winnings to buy a house.
Baker will take home $71,501 after federal and state taxes are withheld.
How to play the Powerball
In order to purchase a $2 Powerball ticket, you’ll have to visit your local convenience store, gas station or grocery store − and in a handful of states, you can purchase tickets online.
To play, you will need to pick six numbers in total to mark on your ticket. Five numbers will be white balls ranging from numbers 1 to 69. The Powerball is red and one number which is between 1 and 26.
If you want to increase your chances of winning, you can add a “Power Play” for $1 which increases the winnings for all non-jackpot prizes. This addition can multiply winnings by 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, or 10X.
Players can also ask a cashier for a “Quick Pick” where a cashier will give you a computer generated numbers on a printed Powerball ticket.
Drawings are held on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday nights. If there’s no jackpot winner, the cash prize will increase by millions.
Where to purchase tickets
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington D.C. and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling Problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050(MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for full terms.
Drake Powell
Guard | UNC
Height: 6’5” | Weight: 185 lbs
2025 Draft Age: 19.78
As a natural wing or off-ball guard, Powell has what it takes to be an impact player at the next level. He boasts the positional size and athleticism to exploit his opponents on either end of the floor. Overall, he’s a very smart player with a competitive edge and is willing to adapt to what his team needs to win.
Powell is really best as an off-ball player offensively, especially given he’s not known for being a self-creator or primary ball-handler. However, he is a smart cutter and has found ways to position himself for success when finding space. To really take his game overall to the next level, the North Carolina freshman will need to prove he can become a better shooter. Whether it’s in the mid-range or beyond the arc, his jumper is inconsistent. Again, as an offensive prospect, he needs to improve to really become a two-way threat. The physical traits are there for him to get where he needs to be, but the development of his offensive game is a huge swing for Powell in terms of draft stock.
On the defensive end of the floor, Powell really shines. His athletic tools allow him to be all over the place and make plays on and off of the ball. He is quick, boasts length and is very smart as a defender. When thinking about what will differentiate him from other prospects at the next level, it will be his upside as a defensive prospect. He plays with tremendous energy and effort and he makes those around him better on the defensive side of the ball. In fact, he is one of the best defenders in the entire freshman class.
If Powell can convince NBA teams that he has the future projection of being a better offensive player, there’s no question he could be one of the most impactful players in the draft. In the meantime, he can lean on his defensive abilities to contribute to winning. The former five-star recruit is following in the footsteps of his father as a Tar Heel, as he played baseball for North Carolina when he was in school.
Mid to Late Lottery Pick in 2025 NBA Draft.
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