Moore, Lee & Harnett: Does partisan voting ensure balanced governance?

Republican-led boards control elections in Moore and Harnett counties, where ballots lack party labels, prompting concerns about transparency, voter access, and nonpartisan governance.

Lee County is partisan, which means revealing the political party on the voting ballot.

Harnett and Moore are nonpartisan and do not reveal the political party at the time of voting, which means voters must research candidates prior to voting.

According to 2024 voting records, four of the five Moore County commissioners are Republicans.

Four of five Harnett County commissioners are Republicans.

Lee County has seven commissioners with a four-to-three Republican majority, forming a more balanced board.

Nonpartisan voting can reduce transparency, as ballots omit party labels. Without this information, voters may find it harder to gauge candidates’ values or policies, particularly in local elections.

Without clear cues, voters may struggle to make informed decisions, especially if they lack time or resources to research candidates. The challenge of equal voting access is greater for those without internet service.

In Moore County, 11.7% of households lack internet service, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. This digital divide could limit residents’ access to information, education, and civic engagement, such as researching election candidates.

An estimate from North Carolina Cooperative Extension shows that 5.7% of Moore County households, or about 5,936 homes, lack internet access because of infrastructure or cost issues.

The numbers differ because one counts households that opt out, while the other counts those without access.

Both data points indicate a continued need for enhanced broadband infrastructure and digital access, particularly in rural parts of the county. Residents without consistent internet service may encounter difficulties when trying to access voter information and candidate platforms.

Nonpartisan elections aim to highlight local issues and candidate merit, but without party labels, candidates’ positions may be unclear.

To research candidates in local or nonpartisan elections, check your county’s board of elections website for sample ballots, candidate lists, and campaign links or bios. Use the public library for free internet service and computer use.

Vote411.org, a nonpartisan League of Women Voters site, lets you enter your address to view a personalized ballot and compare candidate responses to identical questions.

Voters can easily find candidate information through campaign websites or social media with a quick online search.

Some communities organize candidate forums and answer questions from the public.

Check your local election office or Vote411.org for quick access to voting information.

Ultimately, governance is in the hands of voters who must research candidates, especially in nonpartisan counties.

NC Voter Guide.org

July 7, 2025

Stephanie M. Sellers