"It comes as no surprise that Governor Cooper has it wrong. This bill simply makes changes that were in existing law for decades and still clearly allows health exceptions," said NCGOP Communications Director Matt Mercer. 

"Keeping Republicans at a structural disadvantage through shady administrative tactics in elections is a hallmark of Governor Cooper and NC Democrats. We look forward to a swift override in the General Assembly," added Mercer.  

Additional background

House Bill 237 makes two changes to existing North Carolina law.

The first change simply reverts legislation regarding masks to pre-2020 law, with carved out exceptions per guidance written by the N.C. Dept. of Health and Human Services.

Second, provisions relating to campaign finance simply puts both Democratic and Republican-aligned groups who wish to participate in North Carolina elections on an even playing field. 

That playing field was changed via collusive agreement with the N.C. Board of Elections and Democratic lawyer Marc Elias, locking out Republican groups.

This change restores parity in campaign finance laws and shows, once again, why partisan control over election administration in North Carolina must end.