May primary delayed

By Carey Phillips

The N.C. Board of Elections delayed the primary Tuesday and did not set a new date. The delay is the result of a lawsuit filed by state Republicans and currently before the N.C. Supreme Court. The suit claims the legislative redistricting plan passed by the General Assembly is unconstitutional because too many counties are split into different districts.

The suit acknowledges that 40 counties, including Jackson, which are covered by the Voting Rights Act, may be split. However, it claims that the state constitution prohibits splitting the other 60 counties.

A Johnston County Superior Court judge agreed and ordered the legislative primaries be delayed. He stayed that order until the Supreme Court hears arguments on April 4.

Last week, the state's highest court ordered the legislative primaries be delayed until a ruling is issued. The state Board of Elections took things one step further Tuesday by delaying all primaries.

All other primaries could have been held May 7 as scheduled; however, state board members cited as reasons for postponing all voting the additional expense to counties of having two elections and the likelihood of an extremely low voter turnout for the legislative primary if it is held separately.

"It's just wait and see," said Lisa Lovedahl-Lehman, director of elections for Jackson County. "We won't know anything until after April 4."

The county spends approximately $25,000 on an election regardless of how many offices are on the ballot, she said.

If the state Supreme Court approves the legislative districts, a primary could be held within five weeks of the decision. If the districts are declared invalid, the legislature would be required to come up with a new plan, which would then need approval from the U.S. Department of Justice. Either side - Republicans or the state - could appeal the state court ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Jackson County Board of Education's general election was to be held in conjunction with the May primary, with board members taking office in July. If a school board election is delayed, according to state law, board members will take office in September, Lovedahl-Lehman said. In the meantime, voter registration will continue for the 2002 elections, but all absentee balloting has been put on hold.

Back to Archive: 03/14/02.