BOARDS OF ELECTION
Under Senate Bill 749, boards of election throughout the state would be governed equally by Republicans and Democrats. Currently, the governor appoints three members of his party and two from the opposition party to every county board and to the State Board of Elections. SB 749 would make all of these boards evenly split between Republicans and Democrats and give the appointment authority to legislative leaders on both sides of the aisle. Accordingly, the make-up of the state and county boards would move from a partisan majority to a balanced make-up.
The criticism from Democrats, including Governor Cooper, is that if you move from a partisan majority it will make it more difficult to get things done. “The problem with that argument,” according to Senator Berger, “is it reveals Democrats would prefer a board made up with a majority of Democrats, because everyone on the board will vote based on their partisan background.” Having a balanced board means both sides will have to work together to reach the right answer. “Elections should be conducted fairly, and in a manner that doesn’t favor one party over another,” said Berger.