Understandably, the Cumberland County Board of Elections should operate in a nonpartisan manner because it directly impacts election fairness and public trust. Recognizing the need for transparency, it is crucial to examine whether it has ever operated without partisan influence, especially when Democrats dominated statewide politics for over a century, from the General Assembly to 100 statewide counties.
I have lived in Cumberland County since 1977 and began working as a deputy sheriff for Sheriff Ottis Jones, a prominent Democratic political figure, in 1979. During that era, Democrats reigned supreme, raising questions about how political influence may have shaped the operations of local election authorities and county government. Recognizing this history underscores the need for transparent, nonpartisan election oversight to protect election integrity and local governance, especially given the potential for political favoritism during Democratic dominance.
Having experienced the 70s, 80s, and 90s in Cumberland County, I find it difficult to overlook the hypocrisy of Democrats who complain about fairness. The political landscape has changed; Democrats lost their majority in the North Carolina legislature in 2010, even before Republicans drew any new legislative maps. Therefore, gerrymandering is not the real issue for Democrats. The problem lies within the party's platform, which has strayed too far from its base, particularly the working class. The party's heavy focus on identity politics and fringe issues has alienated significant portions of its core electorate, who now feel it is out of touch with the cultural mainstream. This shift underscores the outcry for change among all citizens.
Last fall, as Republicans maintained their legislative dominance in Raleigh, GOP-led lawmakers changed the process for appointing members of the county boards of elections and the State Board of Elections. These reforms highlight ongoing efforts to enhance election fairness and underscore the importance of nonpartisan oversight to safeguard election integrity against partisan influence.
When Republicans make legislative moves, many in the left-leaning media label their actions as power grabs. In contrast, they are simply exercising their legislative authority, just as Democrats did for 140 years before 2010.
In North Carolina, most voters are unaffiliated, but the state mainly functions within a two-party system dominated by the Democratic and Republican parties. While more voters are registering as unaffiliated or joining the Republican Party, the Democratic Party is experiencing a decline in membership, resulting in a loss of the significant influence it once held for decades.
Our local board of elections is not becoming more partisan; instead, it is becoming less Democratic, and the winds of change are a brutal awakening for some liberals to accept.