RALEIGH, North Carolina — North Carolina trial judges on Wednesday threw out another Republican attempt to strip the governor of his authority to appoint State Board of Elections members, declaring that a law shifting the task to the state auditor is unconstitutional.

A federal appeals court has temporarily blocked North Carolina election officials from contacting voters whose disputed ballots in an unresolved 2024 state Supreme Court race could be eliminated from the final count.

The ruling is a win for Democrats who, for now, will be able to retain a 3-2 majority on the State Board of Elections, as well as all 100 county boards of elections.