For 250 years, North Carolina residents have drafted their own municipal charters; each charter is approved by North Carolina state legislature. Election procedures are set forth in the charters and specify whether elections will be partisan or non-partisan. It is interesting to note that currently only six of the 552 municipalities have chosen partisan elections (source: UNC School of Government). The main reason: non-partisan elections are simpler, less politically charged and therefore cheaper.

Currently, the N.C. state legislature is considering Senate Bill 94/House Bill 64, which will supersede all local election procedures set forth in municipal charters and will require all local municipal elections to be partisan. Candidates for municipal office will be required to run as a major party candidate, that is, as a Democrat or a Republican. Non-major party candidates may run as well. However, they will need to gather and submit, on a petition, signatures equal to 4 percent of all the voters in their jurisdiction!

The passage of both the House version of the Bill and the Senate version too will put the state party organizations, and therefore party money, in position to dominate local elections. Senate Bill 94/House Bill 64 will allow the NC Democratic or NC Republican parties or any other officially recognized party in North Carolina to funnel financial support of disclosed and undisclosed money to ensure that party’s choice of candidates is nominated to run. The candidate backed by the party will almost certainly end up as the nominee with access to party resources.

In addition, Senate Bill 94/House Bill 64 would mandate that all municipal elections be held in conjunction with presidential elections, every four years. Many municipalities prefer off-presidential year elections in order to avoid the usual hype of presidential-year politics.

Currently, municipal election procedures are decided by our local residents, our cities and towns. Some municipalities have two-year terms of office; some have four-year terms. The state’s municipal residents making those choices on local government structure and administration has worked well for 250 years. Of course, we realize the state’s legislature power is all but absolute regarding local government. But why change a system that is working well? Why restrict local decision making?

The Washington Park Town Board recently adopted the resolution urging our legislators to oppose Senate Bill 94/House Bill 64. Many other towns have adopted their own similar resolutions in opposition to this bill. If you agree, talk to your local state senator or representative.

Tom Richter is the mayor of Washington Park.