Under the Dome

PolitiFact NC looks into claim about Roy Cooper, voter ID

North Carolina Attorney General, Roy Cooper and Republican incumbent Pat McCrory.
North Carolina Attorney General, Roy Cooper and Republican incumbent Pat McCrory. dhinshaw@charlotteobserver.com

Attorney General Roy Cooper, the Democratic challenger in the North Carolina governor’s race this fall, has been repeatedly accused by Republicans of politicizing the office by not defending laws unpopular with his Democratic base.

After N.C. Attorney General Roy Cooper said he wouldn’t ask for a second appeal of the state’s overturned voter ID law, Republican leaders cried foul.

“If any North Carolina citizen decided not to do their job, they would no longer have a paycheck,” Gov. Pat McCrory said in a press release. “Roy Cooper should not be held to a different standard. Roy Cooper’s refusal to do his job is costing taxpayers money, so his office must reimburse taxpayers immediately.”

PolitiFact North Carolina asked just how true was McCrory’s claim that “Roy Cooper’s refusal to do his job is costing taxpayers money” was, in a two-part fact check.

What do legal experts think about the claim that Cooper is refusing to do his job? Is it true, or does he have the authority to make this decision?

And what about the money angle – is Cooper costing taxpayers money, or is he actually saving them money?

Read the full story here.

Doran: 919-836-2858; Twitter: @will_doran

Fact check

Speaker: Gov. Pat McCrory

Statement: “Roy Cooper’s refusal to do his job is costing taxpayers money.”

Ruling: McCrory hit on a valid topic of debate with his claim about Cooper’s job duties but was wrong about the money angle. We rate this claim Mostly False.

This story was originally published August 17, 2016 at 11:01 AM with the headline "PolitiFact NC looks into claim about Roy Cooper, voter ID."

Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER