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Committee adopts substitute and hears supporters of making school‑board ballots partisan
Summary
Vice Chair Gavarone moved and the committee adopted a substitute to SB 107 that reflects operating-budget changes; proponents testified that party labels would increase voter clarity in school-board races.
The committee considered Senate Bill 107, which proposes requiring party affiliations to appear on ballots for state and local school-board races. Vice Chair Gavarone moved to adopt Substitute Bill 633; the sponsor of the motion said the substitute reflects changes made by the operating budget (House Bill 96) and removes State Board candidates from the party‑affiliation requirement because the board will be nominated rather than appearing on the ballot. The motion to adopt the substitute carried "without objection."
Following adoption of the substitute, Lisa Breedlove Chaffee of Parents Rights and Education testified in support. Chaffee said party labels would restore voter clarity amid heightened polarization around curriculum and parental-rights issues and cited research she said shows party affiliation increases turnout by up to 15 percent. She also noted a modest signature threshold for small districts—25 party-elector signatures—to qualify for primary ballots.
In questions, Senator Blackshear asked whether displaying party affiliation could increase polarization. Chaffee replied she did not believe it would, saying voters are already polarized and that labels would help voters identify candidates' values.
Action taken: The committee adopted Substitute Bill 633 for SB 107 without objection; the committee also accepted additional written testimony on the item.
