North Carolina House votes for changes to state elections
June 13, 2011
North Carolina: Last week the North Carolina House of Representatives passed bills that would alter the nature of elections in the state. The first would return to the partisan election of judges. Since 2002, all judicial races in the state have been nonpartisan, though parties still endorse certain candidates. The argument over the bill mirrors that nationwide debate over judicial elections. Proponents feel party labels provide voters with more insight into a judicial candidate and acknowledge the role political parties play in weeding out less qualified candidates. Opponents to the bill unquestionably disagree with partisan labels for judges.[1][2]
That bill passed 67-51 in the House. Another bill forwarded to the Senate would stop the public financing of elections. North Carolina was the first state in the country to adopt public financing for judicial elections, though Wisconsin and West Virginia have followed suit. The programs in those states have also run into opposition this year, even as West Virginia attempts to get it off the ground.[1]
If passed by the Senate, both bills will be effective in 2012.[1]
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