Campbell says don't run off from instant runoff

How is this fall’s election different from previous ones in Burke County?
David Campbell of Morganton has seen changes galore in his 10 year tenure as Burke County Board of Elections chair. Some of his white hair might have come from Election Day stress over the years, but this true gentleman’s soft-spoken manner and warm smile belie any indications of anxiety. He’s a solid Democrat but is diplomatic, understanding that his job requires a delicate touch. It’s a challenge to keep everyone happy. (A Republican would have Campbell’s $3,000 a year part-time chair position if North Carolina’s governor were a Republican.)
The Board of Elections often deals with unhappy people. For example, persons angry because they show up on Election Day to vote and find out they’re not registered, or their voting location has changed. Never mind that postcards are sent to inform voters of changes.
Managers of buildings used as polling places can become upset if trash is left behind or the heat’s not turned off.
And this fall, there’s a little grumbling about a big change on the ballot: Instant Runoff Voting.
What’s important to Campbell: “I think everybody ought to vote. A person can vote for whoever they want, and I’ll defend that right from now on.”
Campbell had a few things to say about the new-fangled Instant Runoff Voting. It will be used for one statewide race, a Court of Appeals seat. The seat is vacant because one justice was nominated to a higher court. The US Senate confirmed him in August, too late for candidates vying for his old seat to go through a primary.
Thirteen candidates filed to run, almost guaranteeing the need for a runoff. North Carolina decided to employ a new method of voting to prevent that.
Campbell said, “It is a little bit confusing, but it will work.”
For this particular judge’s race, the ballot will present voters with three columns of candidates’ names, all 13 in each column. Voters will choose one from the first column for their first choice, one from the second for their second choice and make a third choice from the last column. If a person votes for the same name three times, the person’s vote will only count once.
Instant Runoff Voting or IRV was tested successfully in several municipal elections in North Carolina. Campbell said,
“It will save the state and the county a lot of money.”
He mentioned the run-off required in June to select the Democratic Senate candidate, Elaine Marshall, who won over Cal Cunningham.
“It was so hot that day you couldn’t get your breath. We had to man every one of our 33 precincts. It cost the county $30,000 for 583 votes.”
He added, “A lot of people don’t even vote for the (non-partisan) judges, so there’s not a whole lot of interest in that race.”
Nationally, there’s a great deal of interest. North Carolina will be the first state in the union to use Instant Runoff Voting in a statewide election, and many will be observing to see how it goes.
Another difference in the election affecting Burke County is the loss of three long-time, dependable poll workers, known as precinct judges and chief judges. They’re all related to one of the candidates for NC Senate.
It’s not technically illegal for two of them — the candidate’s in-laws — to act as precinct judges, but Campbell said the county strives to avoid any conflict of interest with relatives of candidates working at the polls. 
If a number of precinct workers call in sick on Nov. 2, those experienced in-laws might need to be called on.
“It would have to be a pretty serious emergency,” he said.
Campbell has had to arrange things quickly on a few election mornings.
He’s even had to allow Republicans to act as chief judges, unusual when the governor is a Democrat, and all chief judges are expected to be Democrats.
He said, “I’ve been chewed out several times for that.”
No change, there.

Gwen Veazey is a member of the Morganton Writers’ Group and encourages people to call the Board of Elections office at 433-1730 if they have questions about registration, polling location, or Early Voting which started Thursday. Visit burkenc.govoffice3.com.