Elect or appoint?
"The General Assembly ... should consider proposals to do away with elections for some state offices, such as this one."
We wrote that Feb. 5 about the N.C. agriculture commissioner's race, which had just been settled by Britt Cobb's concession three months after the election.
A reader challenged us to offer some reasoning for that opinion and accused us of calling for eliminating elections for some offices just when Republicans, like new Ag boss Steve Troxler, start to unseat Democrats, like Cobb.
We are going to write that editorial soon, but I'd appreciate hearing from you first ...
State Sen. Charles Albertson, D-Duplin, has introduced a bill to do away with elections for the agriculture, labor and insurance commissioners, the secretary of state and the superintendent of public instruction, making those appointive offices instead. This would have to be approved as a constitutional amendment in a statewide referendum.
There are good arguments on both sides of the issue. "The people should elect their leaders" is a strong one. That's countered by, "The ballot is too long now and voters don't know much about the candidates in these races."
As for our supposedly partisan motivations, I'd answer that Republicans could be appointed as well as Democrats. What do you think?
Comments (3)
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I would be opposed to appointments unless they had to be approved by the General Assembly in much the same way cabinet officers are approved by the U.S. Congress. I think Democratic governors will be too inclined to appoint Dems and Republican governors will be too inclined to appoint Reps. I still trust the people to pick the best person for the job whether they take the time to inform themselves or not. I also believe that officials should be accountable to the people.
Posted on February 10, 2005 11:50 AM
I would leave it in the hands of voters, too, but I would trust an individual(govenror) more than our largely dysfunctional state legislature.
Posted on February 10, 2005 10:19 PM
Thanks for the comments. Our edit on this subject will be in Monday's edition.
Posted on February 11, 2005 5:25 PM