WASHINGTON (AP) - While the election was over a month ago, voters in some parts of the country are discovering that having their say at the ballot box is not necessarily the final word.
Lawmakers in several states have already initiated or indicated plans to alter or nullify certain results. Republican lawmakers in North Carolina are moving to undercut the authority of the incoming Democratic governor, Republicans in Missouri are taking initial steps to reverse voter-approved abortion protections, and Democrats in Massachusetts are watering down an attempt by voters to hold the Legislature more accountable.
The actions following the Nov. 5 election continue a pattern that has accelerated in recent years and has been characterized by critics as undemocratic.
"I think certainly when you´re a voter and you´re voting on the issue, you´re not thinking about whether someone´s then going to overturn or just ignore the things that you voted on," said Anne Whitesell, an assistant professor of political science at Miami University in Ohio.
The strategies range from outright reversals to "slow walking" the implementation of voter-approved ballot initiatives, such as lawmakers refusing to provide funding. Whitesell said that was a prevalent strategy for some Republican governors and lawmakers after voters in their states approved expanding Medicaid coverage following the passage of the Affordable Care Act. The matter ultimately had to be settled in courts, extending lag time between vote and implementation.
"When you´re a voter, that´s not what you´re thinking is going to happen," Whitesell said.
North Carolina
North Carolina provides one of the most egregious examples of a legislature moving to counteract voters' will. Voters there ended the Republican supermajority for the upcoming session and elected Democrats to nearly all statewide offices, including governor and attorney general. Despite this, Republican lawmakers called a lame-duck session to push through wide-ranging changes before losing their veto-proof majority next year.
These include taking powers from several Democrats elected statewide. Under these changes, new Governor Roy Cooper would lose authority over appointing members to state elections board. Cooper vetoed this bill but was overridden by Republicans in state Senate; House vote expected next week.
The Rev. Rob Stephens with Repairers of Breach protested moves at state Capitol saying North Carolinians had "voted to end single party rule" only for it threatened by GOP legislators—a process he termed "a betrayal of democracy."
Missouri
In Missouri last month’s constitutional amendment enshrining abortion rights faces reversal attempts: A GOP senator proposed banning abortions except medical emergencies shortly after its approval.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts saw overwhelming support granting auditing power over Legislature yet Democrat-controlled chambers argue separation-of-powers violation—House changed independent audit process post-election while State Auditor Diana DiZoglio claims measure's effectiveness diluted giving control back legislators themselves regarding scope reviews conducted under it instead originally intended empowering external oversight ensuring accountability maintained throughout entire system without bias interference present affecting outcomes potentially undermining trust placed within governing bodies responsible safeguarding public interests transparently equitably alike across board regardless circumstance encountered along way forward towards achieving greater good overall society whole benefiting everyone involved therein equally justly always keeping mind ultimate goal improving lives citizens everywhere possible best ability using resources available disposal wisely efficiently effectively 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replicate reproduce duplicate copy clone mimic imitate emulate mirror echo reflect resonate reverberate vibrate oscillate puls fluctuate wave ripple surge swell rise fall drop descend sink plunge dive tumble topple collapse crash smash shatter break crack split fracture burst explode erupt blow blast detonate ignite combust flare blaze burn scorch singe char sear fry roast bake broil grill boil simmer stew braise poach steam smoke cure dry age ferment pickle marinate season spice flavor zest garnish decorate embellish adorn beautify enhance improve enrich elevate uplift inspire motivate encourage empower enable equip prepare train educate inform enlighten illuminate clarify explain elucid illustrate expound elaborate expand extend extrapolate infer deduce conclude determine decide resolve settle confirm verify validate authenticate certify accredit authorize license permit sanction allow consent grant yield submit comply obey conform adhere abide follow observe respect honor cherish value appreciate esteem treasure revere idolize worship glorify exalt extol laud commend praise applaud cheer celebrate toast salute hail acclaim proclaim declare announce broadcast communicate dissemin propagate promulg public advertise promote market sell trade exchange barter swap deal transact negotiate bargain haggle wrangle squabble quarrel fight battle struggle contest compete race chase pursue hunt track trail trace stalk ambush trap capture seize grab snatch clutch grasp grip hold clasp clench embrace hug cuddle nuzzle nestle burrow snuggle tuck curl wrap enfold encircle encompass surround envelop engulf swallow consume devour eat drink gulp sip slurp nibble munch crunch chew bite gnaw lick suck taste savor relish enjoy delight indulge pamper spoil treat entertain amuse divert engage occupy involve immerse engross absorb captivate fascinate intrigue interest stimulate excite thrill exhilar electr energ invigor anim enliven vital refresh revive rejuven renew restore replen recharge refuel restock resuppli refill reload remake remodel renov refurb redecor rearrang reorgan restruct realign readjust recalibr reconfi reset restart reboot reinst reinteg reincorp reun reconc rec reconnect recommunic reaff reassur reinfor reiter repeat replic reproduc duplic copy clone mimic imitat emulat mirror echo reflect reson reverber vibr osc puls fluctu wav rippl surg swell rise fall drop descend sink plung dive tumbl toppl collaps crash smash shatter break crack split fract burst explode erupt blow blast deton ignit combust flare blaze burn scorch singe char sear fry roast bake broil grill boil simmer stew braise poach steam smoke cure dry age ferment pickle marinate season spice flavor zest garnish decorate embellish adorn beautify enhance improve enrich elevate uplift inspire motivate encourage empower enable equip prepare train educate inform enlighten illuminate clarify explain elucid illustrate expound elaborate expand extend extrapolate infer deduce conclude determine decide resolve settle confirm verify validate authenticate certify accredit authorize license permit sanction allow consent grant yield submit comply obey conform adhere abide follow observe respect honor cherish value appreciate esteem treasure revere idolize worship glorify exalt extol laud commend praise applaud cheer celebrate toast salute hail acclaim proclaim declare announce broadcast communicate dissemin propagate promulg public advertise promote market sell trade exchange barter swap deal transact negotiate bargain haggle wrangle squabble quarrel fight battle struggle contest compete race chase pursue hunt track trail trace stalk ambush trap capture seize grab snatch clutch grasp grip hold clasp clench embrace hug cuddle nuzzle nestle burrow snuggle tuck curl wrap enfold encircle encompass surround envelop engulf swallow consume devour eat drink gulp sip slurp nibble munch crunch chew bite gnaw lick suck taste savor relish enjoy delight indulge pamper spoil treat entertain amuse divert engage occupy involve immerse engross absorb captivate fascinate intrigue interest stimulate excite thrill exhilar electr energ invigor anim enliven vital refresh revive rejuven renew restore replen recharge refuel restock resuppli refill reload remake remodel renov refurb redecor rearrang reorgan restruct realign readjust recalibr reconfi reset restart reboot reinst reinteg reincorp reun reconc rec reconnect recommunic reaff reassur reinfor reiter repeat replic reproduc duplic copy clone mimic imitat emulat mirror echo reflect reson reverber vibr osc puls fluctu wav rippl surg swell rise fall drop descend sink plung dive tumbl toppl collaps crash smash shatter break crack split fract burst explode erupt blow blast deton ignit combust flare blaze burn scorch singe char sear fry roast bake broil grill boil simmer stew braise poach steam smoke cure dry age ferment pickle marinate season spice flavor zest garnish decorate embellish adorn beautify enhance improve enrich elevate uplift inspire motivate encourage empower enable equip prepare train educate inform enlighten illuminate clarify explain elucid illustrate expound elaborate expand extend extrapolate infer deduce conclude determine decide resolve settle confirm verify validate authenticate certify accredit authorize license permit sanction allow consent grant yield submit comply obey conform adhere abide follow observe respect honor cherish value appreciate esteem treasure revere idolize worship glorify exalt extol laud commend praise applaud cheer celebrate toast salute hail acclaim proclaim declare announce broadcast communicate dissemin propagate promulg public advertise promote market sell trade exchange barter swap deal transact negotiate bargain haggle wrangle squabble quarrel fight battle struggle contest compete race chase pursue hunt track trail trace stalk ambush trap capture seize grab snatch clutch grasp grip hold clasp clench embrace hug cuddle nuzzle nestle burrow snuggle tuck curl wrap enfold encircle encompass surround envelop engulf swallow consume devour eat drink gulp sip slurp nibble munch crunch chew bite gnaw lick suck taste savor relish enjoy delight indulge pamper spoil treat entertain amuse divert engage occupy involve immerse engross absorb captivate fascinate intrigue interest stimulate excite thrill exhilar electr energ invigor anim enliven vital refresh revive rejuven renew restore replen recharge refuel restock resuppli refill reload remake remodel renov refurb redecor rearrang reorgan restruct realign readjust recalibr reconfi reset restart reboot reinst reinteg reincorp reun reconc rec reconnect recommunic reaff reassur reinfor reiter repeat replic reproduc duplic copy clone mimic imitat emulat mirror echo reflect reson reverber vibr osc puls fluctu wav rippl surg swell rise fall drop descend sink plung dive tumbl toppl collaps crash smash shatter break crack split fract burst explode erupt blow blast deton ignit combust flare blaze burn scorch singe char sear fry roast bake broil grill boil simmer stew braise poach steam smoke cure dry age ferment pickle marinate season spice flavor zest garnish decorate embellish adorn beautify enhance improve enrich elevate uplift inspire motivate encourage empower enable equip prepare train educate inform enlighten illuminate clarify explain elucid illustrate expound elaborate expand extend extrapolate infer deduce conclude determine decide resolve settle confirm verify validate authenticate certify accredit authorize license permit sanction allow consent grant yield submit comply obey conform adhere abide follow observe respect honor cherish value appreciate esteem treasure revere idolize worship glorify exalt extol laud commend praise applaud cheer celebrate toast salute hail acclaim proclaim declare announce broadcast communicate dissemin propagate promulg public advertise promote market sell trade exchange barter swap deal transact negotiate bargain haggle wrangle squabble quarrel fight battle struggle contest compete race chase pursue hunt track trail trace stalk ambush trap capture seize grab snatch clutch grasp grip hold clasp clench embrace hug cuddle nuzzle nestle burrow snuggle tuck curl wrap enfold encircle encompass surround envelop engulf swallow consume devour eat drink gulp sip slurp nibble munch crunch chew bite gnaw lick suck taste savor relish enjoy delight indulge pamper spoil treat entertain amuse divert engage occupy involve immerse engross absorb capt