The Supreme Court election is ending. The GOP push for election law changes is just getting started.

Between the General Assembly and State Board of Elections, Republicans could soon make a number of policy changes that impact future elections.

North Carolina State Board of Elections Chairman Francis De Luca presides over his first board meeting on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

On May 13, the North Carolina Supreme Court race will officially be over, as Democratic Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs has her 734-vote win against Republican Court of Appeals Judge Jefferson Griffin certified.

But while Republicans have lost this particular electoral battle, they could very much still win the broader war and effect policy changes— tweaks that could propel conservative candidates to victory in future close elections.

Sam Hayes, House Speaker Destin Hall’s general counsel, on Wednesday was tapped as the new executive director of the State Board of Elections. Hayes will replace outgoing Executive Director Karen Brinson Bell on May 15 and have influence over the agency’s day-to-day operations, including hiring and firing decisions.

State Board of Elections Executive Director Karen Brinson attends final NCSBE meeting. She looks on in tears as colleagues nominate her replacement.

“I have been able to work with Sam and find him very knowledgeable about election law,” Bell said. “I do think it’s unfortunate that the board has taken the path to not have an election practitioner in the field.”

Hayes, who couldn’t be reached for comment, will soon work with newly-selected NCSBE Chairman Francis De Luca, the former president of NC Civitas, a conservative think tank.

De Luca offered his vision for the future in a brief interview after Wednesday’s board meeting.