NC H517

Changes Stokes County Board of Education elections from nonpartisan to partisan beginning in 2020, with candidates filing between June and July and primary and election procedures following county officer laws.

Establishes all board members serve four-year terms beginning with 2020 elections, with three members elected in 2020 (top two candidates receive four-year terms) and two members elected quadrennially thereafter in 2022 and subsequent years.

Vacancies for partisan seats beginning in 2020 shall be filled under G.S. 115C-37.1, while vacancies for nonpartisan seats elected in 2016 or 2018 continue under G.S. 115C-37(f).

Members elected in 2016 and 2018 retain their current terms and serve until successors are elected and qualified, with the changes not affecting their existing terms of office.

Adds Stokes County to the list of counties under G.S. 115C-37.1(d) effective December 2020 for purposes of partisan board member vacancy appointments.