By Rep. Kevin Crutchfield (R-Cabarrus, Rowan), Rep. David Willis (R-Union)

As elected Republicans serving North Carolina, we are obligated to speak out against a proposal that could undermine one of the basic principles of our democracy: the people’s right to vote. Recent comments by Rep. Andy Harris, head of the House Freedom Caucus, suggesting that the North Carolina legislature should consider giving its electoral votes to Donald Trump before the votes are counted are disturbing and antithetical to conservatives principles. We say this as staunch supporters of President Trump and as people who believe in his vision for America’s future. But our support for the president cannot come to the cost of fundamental democratic norms. The notion of voter precertification without counting ballots not only run the risk of violating state and federal law, but also set a dangerous precedent. It erodes the integrity of the electoral process and ultimately threatens the foundation of free and fair elections — something we conservatives must always stand for.

Even after Hurricane Helene, the General Assembly worked hard to secure access to fair choices for those affected. We have fought diligently to secure the voters of our state integrity because it is our duty as elected officials to facilitate the process and ensure that each the eligible voter can vote – no matter who they support. But modifying the process by which voters are selected before the votes are counted is not the solution – it is a step towards government overreaching and a dangerous abdication of our constitutional responsibilities.

Republicans have long supported the rule of law. It’s what sets us apart from the rest the radical left, which often embraces law and government harmonization to achieve policy it ends. We, however, believe in law and order, accountability and equal enforcement of the law.

The proposal to turn in North Carolina’s electoral votes before the votes are counted is similar the very tactics we often condemn when wielded by the left. Law and harmonization Government to win elections is what radical leftists do, not Republicans. Instead of looking for ways to circumvent the electoral process, we should focus our efforts on helping those affected communities recover from the storm and ensure voters can exercise their rights. namely the conservative, constitutional approach. If Republicans begin to embrace the tactics we criticize, we risk losing the moral high ground and alienating the very voters who put us in office.

Moreover, voter pre-certification would have far-reaching implications, not only for our state but for the whole nation. Such a move would damage public confidence, fueling election allegations interference and deprivation of rights. We cannot afford to compromise our integrity elections in the name of political expediency. If Republicans support such actions, we risk it becoming the very thing we oppose. Our party is for freedom, not manipulation. For integrity, not shortcuts. For the Constitution, not political schemes. We understand the urgency of this moment. We have to make sure that President Trump is treated fairly, and we have to be prepared to address any legitimate concerns about the 2024 election. But pre-certification voters – actually picking the winners before the voters make up their minds – is not the way to go. It it’s neither fair nor conservative and that’s not how we win elections.

If the 2024 election results are contested, there are legal avenues to ensure a fair review of the process. Let’s use those established mechanisms, rather than preventive measures that tramples on the rights of North Carolinians to make their voices heard. Republicans must continue to be the party of law and order, not lawlessness and disorder. We appeal to our colleagues to reject any attempt to undermine the electoral process and stand firm for what it is right — counting every vote and respecting the will of the people. Only then can we keep trust that voters place in us as their representatives.

In North Carolina, we don’t play with democracy. We count the votes, we respect the law and we uphold the Constitution – regardless of the circumstances. That’s how Republicans should win elections: not by changing the rules, but by gaining the trust and support of the people we have serve.