Senate Bill Delays Elections In 35 N.C. Cities

The North Carolina Senate has passed a bill that would push back some elections until 2022, a move that would impact 35 municipalities.

SB722 is a revised bill focusing on municipalities that rely on districts and wards that are redrawn every decade, based on population changes.

Delays in the release of 2020 Census data have left the General Assembly seeking new options.

The Winston-Salem Journal reports the bill would move primaries in some cities and towns to March 8, with the general election taking place on April 26.

Greensboro and Lexington are among the municipalities that would be impacted. Winston-Salem has a ward system but will not be affected because the next election for City Council and the mayor's office is in 2024.

There had been talk of proposing legislation that would have delayed all 2021 municipal elections. But that changed after some officials recommended keeping local elections in odd years so as not to be overshadowed by presidential, congressional, and statewide campaigns.