Election legislation roundup: General Assembly of North Carolina

By

Mercedes Yanora

As of June 18, members of the General Assembly of North Carolina, which includes the North Carolina House of Representatives and the North Carolina State Senate, have passed seven bills related to election administration since the beginning of the year. Of those seven bills, legislators passed one during the week of June 12-18. Republicans sponsored the one bill. The bill is:   

  • NC S265: Increase Municipal Election Participation Act, Sen. Tim Moffitt (R).
    • As amended, this bill:
      • Provides that regular municipal elections will be held at the time of general elections in even-numbered years.
      • Clarifies that elected Office of Council members will have staggered terms.
      • Provides that the mayor and council members will be elected on a nonpartisan, plurality basis.
      • Modifies the term of mayor from two years to four years.
      • Provides that town commissioners will serve staggered terms, and be elected on a nonpartisan, plurality basis.
      • Click the hyperlinked bill number above for more information.

Of the seven bills passed this year, seven have been enacted. Republicans sponsored six bills, while Democrats sponsored one. Five of the seven bills are: 

  • NC H135: Even-Year Elections/City of Trinity, Reps. Brian Biggs (R) and Jonathan Hardister (R). 
    • As amended, this bill strikes outdated provisions regarding actions to take place in 2017. Additionally, the bill provides that regular municipal elections will take place at the time of the general election in even-numbered years.
  • NC H229: Stagger/Extend Terms of Town Officers/Halifax, Rep. Michael Wray (D). 
    • As introduced, this bill amends the charter for the town of Halifax to establish four-year staggered terms for the mayor and commissioners, align municipal elections with the general election in odd-numbered years, and elect these positions on a nonpartisan plural basis in accordance with uniform municipal election procedures. The bill also provides for the upcoming election schedule.
  • NC H99: Wake Co. Board of Comm. Elections, Rep. Erin Pare (R). 
    • As introduced, this bill creates nonpartisan elections for the Wake County Board of Commissioners and specifies that the commissioners shall be elected by district. 
  • NC H88: Omnibus Local Elections, Reps. Brian Biggs (R), John Faircloth (R), and Jonathan Hardister (R).
    • As amended, this bill:
      • Specifies procedures and requirements for filling a partisan vacancy on the Guilford County Board of Education.
      • Specifies that the Ashe County Board of Education will consist of five members, elected on a partisan basis for staggered four-year terms; and outlines nomination procedures and term dates.
      • Specifies that the Cabarrus County Board of Education will be elected on a partisan basis and that board member terms begin on the first Monday in December after the election.
      • Specifies that the Henderson County Board of Public Education will consist of seven members, elected on a partisan basis for staggered four-year terms.
      • Outlines nomination procedures for board candidates and specifies implementation of staggered terms.
      • Click the hyperlinked bill number above for more information.
  • NC H27: Elect Thomasville City Bd. of Ed, Reps. Larry Potts (R) and Samuel Watford (R).
    • As introduced, this bill establishes the Thomasville City Board of Education as a nonpartisan elected board composed of five members with staggered five-year terms.

From June 12-18, legislators passed 15 bills related to election administration nationally. As of June 18, Texas legislators have passed the most bills this year with 34, while legislators in nine states have passed none. The state with the most enacted bills is Texas with 33, while 13 states have enacted none.

The General Assembly of North Carolina is scheduled to be in session from Jan. 11 to Aug. 31 this year. In 2022, North Carolina legislators passed three election-related bills, two in the state Senate and one in the state House. One of the bills from the state Senate was enacted into law. North Carolina is a divided government, meaning neither party holds trifecta control.

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