Primary dates unclear as state and local election filings halted
Primaries delayed until May
This week has been a roller coaster for North Carolina primary elections filings. After several stops and starts, the North Carolina Supreme Court suspended the ongoing candidate filing period for the 2022 elections in the state based on concerns over district maps and gerrymandering in Wednesday evening.
Late December 8, local officials and those who represent Davidson County were uncertain of exactly which elections would be impacted locally but several were certain that all primary elections were being moved from March 8 to May 17, 2022.
Former Lexington City Councilwoman Tonya Lanier [D] said she is planning to file to run for Davidson County Commissioner, but she cannot file under the current order. She has concerns about the district lines as well as delays in the primaries. “What I’ve heard and what I’ve read, the lines do currently favor the Republicans. I am glad they are going to review the lines. They should be more equally distributed,” said Lanier. “It has been going on so long I am thoroughly confused… It’s going to be so confusing for people to know who to vote for and when to vote for somebody.” Lanier added education for voters will be key during this election.
As reported earlier this week in Davidson Local, North Carolina’s 2022 candidate filings for U.S. House and the State House and Senate were being delayed as gerrymandering lawsuits could lead to redrawn districts. Candidates locally and across the state were turned away from board of election sites on Monday. Hours later, the NC Supreme Court issued an order to restore filings on Tuesday morning at 8 a.m.
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Immediately, Gov. Roy Cooper [D] and Attorney General Josh Stein [D] filed an amicus brief to the NC Supreme Court, petitioning the justices to quickly hear arguments on the case. While the court order set a new primary date a date regarding when filing will resume is to be determined. A two-day period of appeal could overturn Wednesday’s ruling.
Several local candidates, who have filed, interpret the ruling to mean their fees will be carried over to the new filing period rather than refunded. Lanier, who served on the Lexington City Council, questioned if the ruling would impact local maps recently redrawn after the census. Lexington’s municipal election was delayed due to Census results and local map certification. Ward boundaries were adopted in a Special Called Meeting on Monday.
If filings are not carried over some Lexington candidates might have to file for a third time. Candidates were briefly told to file in error by Friday, August 13 at 12:00 p.m.
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Those filings were thrown out until Lexington ward maps were certified. Several candidates filed for a second time on December 6.
Local municipal elections are not currently challenged under any state lawsuits. Asked why they were impacted, NC State Senator Steve Jarvis [R] shared his thoughts. “This is an opinion. If you have an election, it’s a cost factor to hold one in March, May and June. We could be talking three primaries. I assume that’s the reason.”
Jarvis attempted to file on December 6 and was one of a number of state lawmakers who learned about the first halt on filings. He filed on Tuesday after the Court of Appeals ruling. He expressed concerns over delaying the filing period until May. “It’s so late and confusing for everyone,” Jarvis offered.
Chairwoman of the Davidson County Commissioners shared the sentiment. She was unaware of the ruling when reached by Davidson Local. “How is it ever going to be perfect?” Karen Watford [R] asked. She plans to run for an additional term as a commissioner. Her husband, Sam Watford [R], a Republican member of the North Carolina General Assembly, filed on Tuesday. Karen said battles over boundaries are all too familiar. Her father, Joe Hege, served as a Republican lawmaker from 1967 to 1982. “I saw this over and over again growing up,” Karen recalled. “I would certainly like for this to stop happening every year…As far as I am concerned, I want a normal primary. I just want to serve my county and the citizens, if they want me.”
The delay has been celebrated by many as a victory. The order did not indicate whether the justices took a formal vote or, if so, what the outcome was, but the court currently has a Democratic majority.
“Halting candidate filing and delaying the primary election are important steps towards ensuring North Carolina voters have the freedom to elect their representatives,” NC Democratic Party Chair Bobbie Richardson opined in a news release Wednesday.
Cooper celebrated the ruling in a statement. "Today's order by the state Supreme Court restores faith in the rule of law and it is necessary for the Court to rule on the constitutionality of these unfair districts before the next election." The NC Supreme Court ordered the lower trial court to hear the redistricting case ASAP, with a ruling no later than January 11.
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