Mecklenburg County has a crazy way of filling vacancies for sheriff (and it's the same in Guilford)
The crazy system Mecklenburg County uses to fill a vacancy for sheriff resembles the Iowa caucuses (although only a few get to participate) and has created a political mess, as reported by the Charlotte Observer (latest story here).
Oh, no! Guilford County has the same system.
So do Alamance, Rockingham, Stokes, Forsyth, Davidson and Randolph counties. In fact, 45 North Carolina counties in all.
But not 55 others.
What the heck?
Here's what state law says: "Every sheriff may vacate his office by resigning the same to the board of county commissioners of his county; and thereupon the board may proceed to elect another sheriff."
That's simple.
But here's what state law also says: "If the sheriff were elected as a nominee of a political party, the board of commissioners shall consult the county executive committee of that political party before filling the vacancy, and shall elect the person recommended by the county executive committee of that party ..."
That provision applies in 45 counties specifically listed.
How bizarre is that?
What it potentially means for Guilford County is that, should Sheriff BJ Barnes vacate his office, the Guilford County Republican Party Executive Committee gets to pick his replacement for the duration of his term.
Maybe that sounds fair to Republicans. After all, voters elected a Republican sheriff.
Well, yes, Barnes is a Republican. Does that mean they would not have elected Barnes if Barnes were a Democrat? No. More likely, they elected the man, not the party.
Besides, all the voters of Guilford County had a say, not just the Republicans.
If commissioners make the selection, they might pick a Democrat. Democrats do hold a majority on the board. But at least commissioners collectively represent everybody in Guilford County, not just one party.
Furthermore, commissioners would have to make their selection in public. A political party can conduct its business in private. And that process was manipulated in Mecklenburg County to the point of choosing someone whose credentials are highly suspect, creating a big controversy and, for the past several weeks, leaving an impasse that might take months and maybe even lawsuits to sort out.
Do we want that here?
I'm working on an editorial for publication next week that will recommend a change in state law. Let's have one method of filling vacancies applicable to all 100 counties, and let's have it make sense.
Your opinion about how vacancies for sheriff should be filled?
Comments (5)
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The same method is used for replacing county commissioners and state legislators. Would you change that process for them as well?
When I worked in PA, if the Sheriff resigned he was replaced by the Coroner, which we don't have around here.
Posted on January 4, 2008 5:15 PM
Commissioners and legislators are politicians. Parties matter more in those offices. If a district consistently elects a Republican, it wouldn't be right for a Democrat to be named as replacement. So I wouldn't change those.
I don't know about the coroner, but it would be nice to have a sheriff who could show up at a murder scene and pronounce the subject dead.
Posted on January 4, 2008 5:21 PM
I'm all for sheriffs and police chiefs that are elected by the people. Election by board or party is not in any way, shape or form an election and is no different than a political appointment.
Thanks for pointing this out.
Posted on January 4, 2008 5:52 PM
Right on Doug! I agree with both statements. pecially #2. BB
Posted on January 5, 2008 2:30 PM
Right on Doug! I agree with both statements. Especially Number 2. BB
Posted on January 5, 2008 2:31 PM