2021 Primary Election: TBD?
Is delaying or postponing the 2021 election a possibility or
just a frantic conversation between political wonks?
There is a real possibility that a delay in the 2020 Census numbers will impact redistricting and delay the 2021 municipal elections. According to North Carolina State Law:
"If the council determines that it most likely will not be possible to adopt the changes (and obtain federal approval, if necessary) before the third business day before opening of the filing period, and determines further that the population imbalances are so significant that it would not be lawful to hold the next election using the current electoral districts, it may adopt a resolution delaying the election..." - 160A-23.1
2020 Census Delays and the Impact on Redistricting - NCSL
How is this a possibility?
The North Carolina primary election will be on Tuesday, Sept. 14 and the filing period for municipal elections is July 26 to Aug. 13. (partisan elections)
The new district maps need be drawn the 3 days before candidate filing, which would be July 21st.
The release date for the census data needed for redrawing districts in now listed as “TBD, but not before 7/30/21”.
Update: The U.S. Census Bureau announced that it will deliver the redistricting data by Sept. 30. Read Census Bureau Press Release
Is an election delay likely?
In 2021, there are three NC municipal election dates:
Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021 - Partisan primary
Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021 - Non-partisan primary
Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021 - General Election
At this point in time, the most logical scenario is that the census numbers arrive earlier then stated; or the primary election and filing date is pushed back, creating a shortened election schedule. There is also a strong possibility that the 2021 election will be conducted with the 2011 maps.
UPDATE: The local municipalities are looking to the General Assembly for further guidance and legal cover. It is expected that the NCGA will explore new alternative election legislation in 4 - 6 weeks.
UPDATE: NC Board of Elections Executive Director Karen Brinson Bell recommended that all municipal elections scheduled for 2021 should be pushed back to May 2022.
