A North Carolina judge has temporarily blocked a law passed by the state's Republican-controlled legislature that limits the incoming governor’s powers over election boards.

A superior court judge ruled Friday that the law restricting the governor’s control over statewide and county election boards was a risk to free and fair elections, The Associated Press reported.

The law would split state and county election boards evenly between the two parties instead of allowing the governor's party to have a majority.

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Gov.-elect Roy Cooper (D) sued Friday to block the law, which passed earlier this month, claiming the law passed by Republican legislators is unconstitutional as it violates separation of powers.

The judge plans to review the law next week, the report said.

Gov. Pat McCrory (R) signed the legislation two weeks ago in a move Democrats chided as a power grab to undermine Cooper as he prepares to take office on Sunday.