GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
1989 SESSION

CHAPTER 971
SENATE BILL 1398

AN ACT TO CODIFY THE NEW METHOD ELECTING THE SAMPSON COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO THE FEDERAL VOTING RIGHTS ACT.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

Section 1.  The Sampson County Board of Education shall consist of seven members elected in nonpartisan elections at the time provided by State law.
Sec. 2.  In 1992 and every four years thereafter, three members shall be elected to the Board of Education.  Candidates may reside anywhere in the county school unit.  All candidates for the three positions shall be listed together on a single ballot and all voters in the school unit will be eligible to vote in the election, but each voter may vote for one candidate only.  The three candidates receiving the most votes shall be elected.  There shall be no runoffs.
Sec. 3.  In 1994 and every four years thereafter, four members shall be elected.  Candidates may reside anywhere in the county school unit.  All candidates for the four positions shall be listed together on a single ballot and all voters in the school unit will be eligible to vote in the election, but each voter may vote for one candidate only.  The four candidates receiving the most votes shall be elected.  There shall be no runoffs.
Sec. 4.  Incumbent members of the board shall be entitled to serve the remainders of their terms, three of which are due to expire in 1992 and four in 1994.
Sec. 5.  If a vacancy occurs on the board, the remaining members shall appoint a person to serve the remainder of the unexpired term of the vacating member.
Sec. 6.  This act is intended to codify without change the election method adopted by the Sampson County Board of Education on July 13, 1989, pursuant to the court order of July 10, 1989, in United States of America v. Sampson County, North Carolina, et al., United States District Court, Eastern District of North Carolina, No. 88-121-CIV-3.  Pursuant to that order, the 1990 election is being conducted according to the new election method.  Enactment of this legislation is intended to comply with the requirement of the court order that the board submit to the General Assembly and seek passage of legislation codifying the plan for elections after 1990.
Sec. 7.  This act is effective upon ratification.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 19th day of July, 1990.