Senate Republicans Propose New Board of Elections Composition to Foster Bipartisanship
Appointments would be equally split between Republican and Democratic legislative leaders
The State Board would be required to build a bipartisan coalition before it could approve anything
Raleigh, N.C. – Senate Republicans introduced Senate Bill 749, "No Partisan Advantage in Elections." The bill restructures the North Carolina State Board of Elections by splitting the appointments between the majority and minority leaders in the General Assembly. The new structure would ensure that one party does not have control of the State Board of Elections and the county boards.
"We are living in a time of intense political polarization," Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) said. "Having a Board of Elections that is controlled by one party only sows distrust in our elections and we must find a new approach to quell concerns that cast doubt on the fairness of our elections."
A recent poll found that only 50% of North Carolinians think future elections will be free and fair. Senate Republicans introduced legislation to address election integrity when voters go to the ballot box. This bill further addresses concerns about partisanship playing a role in elections administration. The new board composition would require board members to build a bipartisan coalition before they could approve anything.
Senate Bill 749 increases the number of members on the State Board of Elections from five to eight and splits the appointments between Democrats and Republicans in the General Assembly. The President Pro Tempore of the Senate and Speaker of the House will each have two appointments to the board. The minority leaders in both the House and Senate will also have two appointments each.
As with current law, the top two political parties will be required to submit nominations to the board, but the legislative leaders would not be required to pick from those nominations. That allows the leaders to have the flexibility to appoint unaffiliated voters to the board.
"We want a Board of Elections that can come to bipartisan compromise, instead of pushing partisan policy goals," Senate Redistricting and Elections Committee Chairman Sen. Paul Newton (R-Cabarrus) said. "Elections are critical to our democracy and any changes should be made by consensus."
County boards would decrease from five members to four members. Each of the legislative leaders would have one appointment to the county boards.
The State Board and county boards would be required to elect the chair of the respective boards. If for any reason a chair is not elected, the General Assembly would be able to appoint the chair. The State Board would remain the body that hires the executive director. However, if the Board cannot come to an agreement, then General Assembly would be able to appoint the executive director.
"Just as one party shouldn't have total control over appointments, one person shouldn't be in charge of making those appointments," Senate Redistricting and Elections Chairman Warren Daniel (R-Burke) said. "This proposal widens the pool of eligible board members and allows for all 170 members of the General Assembly to have a say in the appointment process. We want the best, most qualified appointees from across the state to serve on the board, and this proposal will accomplish that."
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