Friday, February 15, 2013 6:10 AM

Newton: Drop straight-party voting

Opponents claim bill would hurt Democrats
By Corey Friedman | Times Online Editor

Reliable Republicans, dependable Democrats and loyal Libertarians will have to make more marks on their ballots if a Wilson County lawmaker has his way. State Sen. Buck Newton has introduced a bill that would eliminate straight-ticket voting in North Carolina beginning next January. Newton said all voters should choose candidates individually regardless of their party affiliation. I dont think people should be voting for the party, said Newton, a Wilson Republican. I think they ought to be voting for the person. Vote for the best candidate. Newtons Senate Bill 82 has drawn fierce opposition from Democrats, who see it as a partisan measure. About 56 percent of straight-ticket votes in North Carolina were cast for Democratic candidates last November, compared with 43 percent for Republicans and 1 percent for Libertarians. I think that voters in North Carolina have consistently over the last 10-plus years shown more and more independence in who theyre willing to vote for, Newton said. I think we ought to encourage people to look closely at the qualifications of each candidate and not the party label they have beside them. State Rep. Jean Farmer-Butterfield, a Wilson Democrat, said North Carolina shouldnt make it more difficult for voters to select candidates by party. I cannot imagine someone not having the freedom to vote a straight ticket if they choose to whether its his party or my party, she said. I have a good relationship with Senator Newton, so it bothers me to have to oppose his legislation, especially because were in the same legislative delegation. About 1.4 million Democrats, 1.1 million Republicans and 25,000 Libertarians cast straight-ticket ballots in Novembers general election, state figures show. In Wilson County, the gulf between Democratic and Republican straight-party votes is wider. Of the 27,332 straight-ticket ballots cast here, a full 63 percent (17,293) were for Democratic candidates, compared with 36 percent (9,882) for Republicans and less than 1 percent (157) for Libertarians. Newton said eliminating the straight-ticket option would encourage voters to consider each race individually, but it wouldnt prevent party loyalists from choosing all Democrats, Republicans or Libertarians. It does not remove the label, Newton said. If a party matters to somebody, they would certainly be able to identify them by the party. Presidential nominees and nonpartisan judicial candidates are not included in straight-ticket voting, Newton noted. All this is really doing is saying that all elected officials should be treated the same, he said. Democratic opponents counter that the straight-ticket vote should be expanded to include presidential candidates rather than discarded altogether.

Were obviously very concerned about it, North Carolina Democratic Party spokesman Clay Pittman said. This is another attempt by the Republican Party to try to diminish Democratic turnout and Democratic votes. The straight-ticket voting bill follows Republican-sponsored legislation to require photo identification at the polls and restore party labels to the now nonpartisan judicial races. Democrats say North Carolina shouldnt take steps that would make voting more difficult. A lot of voters dont have time to do research into the down-ballot candidates, so I think this will probably create a lot more confusion, Pittman said. The American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina is studying the bill, but has not taken a position, ACLU spokesman Mike Meno said Thursday. Farmer-Butterfield said she wouldnt look favorably on efforts to limit voter access and choice in light of American womens and blacks struggles for suffrage. Youve got to be careful how you tell people to vote, because thats a right that people have, she said. I think a lot of people fought too long and too hard to make sure that right is in place. Newton filed Senate Bill 82 on Wednesday with Sen. Thom Goolsby, a Wilmington attorney, as co-sponsor. The bill passed its first reading Thursday and has been referred to the Senate Rules Committee. corey@wilsontimes.com | 265-7821