N.C. House passes bill changing local election processes in Caswell, Randolph counties

The North Carolina legislature approved a bill on Wednesday that will make major changes to elections in Caswell and Randolph counties, among others.

House Bill 58 started out as one page, only affecting local government term limits for the small town of Kittrell.

But since going to the Senate a few weeks ago, a number of additions have been made, changing election processes for five counties — in some cases, despite the wishes of the local officials who live there. 

Rep. Renee Price spoke out against one section altering how Caswell County commissioners fill vacancies. 

“I spoke with the commissioners during this past week and on the weekend; none of them have requested this change," Price said. "None of them were even consulted about this change.”

Another section reduces the number of Asheboro City Board of Education members from 11 to seven, shortens their term limits and makes their elections partisan. 

School Board Chair Baxter Hammer said in a social media post this week that the bill doesn’t reflect the opinions of the majority of the board, which recently voted to oppose the proposed changes. 

Still, the House voted 59 to 52 to pass the bill. It was approved in the Senate last week and will now go to the Governor’s desk. 

Amy Diaz covers education for WFDD in partnership with Report For America. You can follow her on Twitter at @amydiaze.