Top NC elections board attorney steps down following leadership changes

General Counsel Paul Cox stepped has resigned, citing concerns over the GOP takeover of the Board of Elections and a growing perception of partisanship in election administration.

NCSBE General Counsel Paul Cox fields questions from reporters at a Nov. 5, 2024, news conference in Raleigh.

The top attorney at the North Carolina State Board of Elections has resigned from his post.

In an interview with Anderson Alerts, he cited recent leadership changes at the elections board and an increased perception of partisanship as the main reasons for leaving. His last day was Oct. 31.

Paul Cox, the NCSBE’s former general counsel, said he became uncomfortable after GOP lawmakers passed a bill shifting authority over the NCSBE to Republican Auditor Dave Boliek and changing the partisan makeup of state and county elections boards from 3-2 Democratic control to 3-2 Republican control. The power shift also led to the ouster of Executive Director Karen Brinson Bell for Republican Sam Hayes, a former attorney general candidate and general counsel to House Speakers Tim Moore and Destin Hall.

“I think highly of Sam, but he comes from a different background,” Cox told Anderson Alerts. “He comes from a clearly political background. That was an indication of how the agency was going to be both perceived and potentially be managed going forward. I’ve always thought that the state’s administration of elections should be as neutral and nonpartisan as possible to maintain the confidence of its voters. I hope that continues to be the case.”

Jason Tyson, a spokesperson for the NCSBE, confirmed Cox’s departure, noting that Cox was on leave for a few weeks after announcing his resignation last month. Cox joined the NCSBE in 2021 and took over as general counsel the following year.

What’s next for Cox and the NCSBE?

This week, Cox joined Poyner Spruill, a Raleigh-based law firm. He said he hopes to take on election-related cases, including redistricting.