To make election boards’ decisions fair and balanced, NC must do this

NC elections

The writer is an attorney who specializes in elections.

Regarding “NC, party of none: Unaffiliated voters will soon become state’s largest voting group,” (March 2):

Although unaffiliated voters are about to be the largest registration in the state, by state law all 505 county and state election board members remain Democrats or Republicans. Does that make any sense?

Only Democrats and Republicans get to decide precinct lines, where polling places are located, ballot petitions, voter and candidate challenges, one-stop voting sites, and all the other questions of election administration.

You’d think you would want someone who has not chosen sides deciding election disputes, but only Democrats and Republicans can do so. And as the number of voters registered with the two parties continues to decrease, the Democrats and Republicans appointed to election boards become more partisan. Does this system make any sense in North Carolina in 2022?

Michael Crowell, Carrboro

No-fly zone

Ukraine needs our help. I appreciate the military aid that the U.S. and other countries have already provided, but it’s not enough. We also need to establish a no-fly zone over Ukraine. Only through a no-fly zone will Ukraine have a chance at survival. Currently, Russia is launching missiles at apartments, schools and hospitals. They’re targeting high-population urban areas, a clear violation of humanitarian law. A no-fly zone would halt these attacks. We must act now!

Kathy Repass, Cary

Listen to Ukraine

It wasn’t long ago that the U.S. withheld aid from Ukraine. Last month, we offered to help evacuate President Zelensky, who replied: “I need ammunition, not a ride.”

I am a former Peace Corps volunteer from Ukraine. It is not only a country of inspired and motivated individuals, but they are also talented and more than competent. Ukrainians know what they need and have the will to deter Russia — if countries like the U.S. listen and are responsive.

Chris Starbird, Raleigh

Ukraine, energy

As if global climate change was not already ample reason to transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, the invasion of Ukraine and the consequent shock waves in the global energy market illustrate another — Putin can’t block the sun or stop the wind from blowing.

William K. Boyes, Durham

NC wind energy

As a recent N&O series pointed out, the benefits of offshore wind in North Carolina extend well beyond the obvious climate benefits. According to one study, the construction phase alone would create 31,000 full-time equivalent jobs and the operational lifespan of a single wind turbine project would create over 900 long-term jobs.

Wind energy is a new and growing industry, improving every day. As a proud North Carolinian focused on leaving our environment better than we found it, I’m grateful to Sen. Thom Tillis and those in N.C.’s Congressional delegation for helping bring this economic and environmentally important expansion to our state.

Rev. G.E. Parker, Clayton

COVID and masks

Regarding “Mask-optional policy begins next week at most NC agencies,” (March 2):

According to the New York Times latest COVID risk map, all N.C. counties are listed as purple or red, meaning that unvaccinated people are at very high or extremely high risk for contracting COVID.

Where does Gov. Roy Cooper get off making masks optional when we know, logically, that masks help keep people from getting COVID?

Cooper’s decision appears to be the result of political expediency rather than based on the best policy for protecting all citizens of our state. He should reverse it before more people get sick and even die as a consequence of his poorly thought out policy.

Masks should only be optional when COVID rates drop below 5%, as originally planned.

S.F. Boukamel, Cary

Biden, democracy

Our nation is fortunate to have an experienced president like Joe Biden leading us during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a war years in the making. He’s handled the crisis skillfully — raising the alarm early and aligning allies behind a smart diplomatic strategy that has built a strong anti-authoritarian global alliance.

The kind of leadership we’ve seen from Biden thus far is the kind of leadership we need to see continue. We need to unite behind him, encouraging him and Congress to continue holding Russia accountable while trying to avoid escalation to a global war. Only by working together with other democratic nations can we achieve our goals of supporting democracy and building world peace.

Sondra Stein, Durham

A ‘land of litter’

The City of Durham has a terrible eyesore that needs to be cleaned up — the former police building on Chapel Hill Street. While the city tries to figure out what to do with it, it’s a big mess with trash in the metal fencing and garbage on the front steps. Wouldn’t it be the right thing to get city crews in there to get it all picked up? I would gladly volunteer. Then, when the city does something with it, it won’t be starting out as a land of litter in downtown Durham.

James Gray, Durham

This story was originally published March 6, 2022 at 4:30 AM with the headline "To make election boards’ decisions fair and balanced, NC must do this."