North Carolinians fought hard to break the veto-proof Republican supermajority in the General Assembly. In one of the most gerrymandered states in the country, we organized, we turned out, and we succeeded. The power of the governor’s veto was meant to be a critical safeguard against harmful, far-right legislation.

Now that power is slipping because a few Democrats crossed the line.

Three Democratic representatives voted with Republicans this week to override Governor Josh Stein’s vetoes. Their actions gave the GOP the final votes they needed to pass bills that will harm immigrants, LGBTQ+ youth, environmental progress, and government accountability.

Here are the lawmakers and how they voted:

Rep. Carla Cunningham (D‑Mecklenburg) voted to override House Bill 318, the “Criminal Illegal Alien Enforcement Act,” forcing sheriffs to cooperate with ICE detainers. Her vote broke ranks and enabled the override by meeting the needed 72–48 majority in the House. 

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Rep. Nasif Majeed (D‑Mecklenburg) cast a deciding vote to override veto on House Bill 805, the bill targeting transgender rights and gender-identity provisions. He also supported Senate Bill 266, which repealed Duke Energy’s interim carbon reduction mandate. His votes were pivotal to overriding both measures. 

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Rep. Shelly Willingham (D‑Edgecombe) joined Republicans in overriding vetoes on several House bills, including HB 193 (guns in private schools), HB 402 (REINS Act requiring legislative approval for costly regulations), and HB 549 (expanding audit powers). He was the sole Democrat voting for each in the override votes.

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We cannot stay silent.

Below is a sample letter you can send to each of these lawmakers. Make it your own or copy it directly, but do not let this moment pass without a response.

 

Subject: Deeply Disappointed in Your Vote to Override Governor Stein’s Vetoes

Dear Representative [Cunningham/Majeed/Willingham],

I am writing as a deeply frustrated and outraged North Carolinian.

Voters across this state worked tirelessly to break the veto-proof supermajority in the General Assembly. We knocked doors, made calls, donated, and turned out in a system stacked against us because we believed it mattered. We believed that holding the governor’s veto power was our last line of defense against extremist legislation that hurts real people.

Your decision to side with Republican leadership and override Governor Stein’s vetoes undermines every bit of that work. It’s a betrayal of the voters who counted on you to stand up for immigrant families, LGBTQ+ youth, clean energy progress, and basic transparency in government.

These bills were vetoed for good reason. They are part of a broader political strategy that dehumanizes people, undermines civil rights, and hands more power to the very forces that have gerrymandered this state beyond recognition.

You didn’t just override a veto. You overrode the will of the voters who put you in office.

I hope you take the time to reflect on the long-term consequences of your decision. Because voters will not forget.