Thanks to a new law, the North Carolina election season that begins today with candidate filing could drag into the middle of summer vacation season. The change could mean primary runoffs on July 17, when voters are more interested in beaches than ballots. Filing for local, state and federal offices begins at noon. It ends Feb. 29. North Carolina already is assured of its heaviest political turnover in years. Among those leaving office: Democratic Gov. Bev Perdue, Republican U.S. Rep. Sue Myrick and two other members of Congress and at least 31 N.C. legislators. Turnover, coupled with redistricting, has generated a lot of interest in the 2012 election year. At least six Republicans, for example, have begun running for Democratic Rep. Larry Kissell's seat in the 8th Congressional District. As many as nine Republicans are considering running in the 11th, where Democratic Rep. Heath Shuler is stepping down. Because candidates need at least 40 percent of the vote to win the May 8 primary, that could lead to runoffs in both races. And that would trigger a mid-summer runoff. The reason: a law passed last year that brings North Carolina into compliance with a federal law to ensure that uniformed and overseas voters have time to embrace ballots. As a result, if there is a North Carolina runoff that involves federal candidates, all runoffs would take place on July 17. In the less likely event that there is a runoff without a federal candidate, the primary would be June 26. Runoffs used to come four weeks after the primary. "You know what we would like is for everybody to win big," says state elections director Gary Bartlett. He says it costs about $5 million to mount a statewide runoff. And turnout for runoffs is never high. In 2008, fewer than 2 percent of voters went to the polls in a Democratic runoff for state labor commissioner. Turnout in Mecklenburg County was so low - half of 1 percent - that each vote cost taxpayers $121. A Democratic U.S. Senate run! off in 2 012 had a turnout of 4.5 percent. Candidate filing opens today in North Carolina Filing opens today at noon in North Carolina for a host of local, state and national offices. In Mecklenburg, races include the board of county commissioners, register of deeds and several judicial seats. At the state level, candidates can file for the N.C. General Assembly, governor and nine seats on the Council of Government, including attorney general and state treasurer. Federal congressional seats also are up for grabs. Filing closes at noon Feb. 29, with a primary set for May 8. Check www.meckboe.org and The Charlotte Observer for updates on candidate filing. April Bethea Powered By iWebRSS.co.cc
0 Comments. What Do You Have To Say / Reviews About:
Post a Comment