Senate committee substitute to the 1st edition deletes the content of the previous edition and replaces it with the following. Changes the bill from local to public. Amends the act's titles.

Enacts new GS 139-6.5 allowing a district board of supervisors, after conducting the initial election after the issuance of the certificate of organization, to adopt a resolution changing the method of election from nonpartisan to partisan. Requires at least one public hearing before voting on the resolution. Requires an adopted resolution to be delivered to the county board of elections and to the Soil and Water Conservation Commission. Makes the resolution effective upon delivery to the county board of elections for the next general election for which the filing period for primaries has not commenced. Sets out provisions for the repeal of the resolution. Requires a partisan election under this statute to be held in accordance with GS Chapter 163. Specifies that statute does not alter the application of specified existing statutes for the selection and appointment of the appointive members of the district board of supervisors. Requires any resolution altering the method of election from nonpartisan to partisan to be adopted on or before December 1, 2023.

Amends GS 139-6 concerning the election of members of the district board of supervisors by making conforming changes. No longer requires the election to be conducted by the county board of elections. Removes the $5 filing fee and instead requires the fee to be in accordance with Article 10 (Primary Elections) of GS Chapter 163. Adds that to fill any vacancy in the elected supervisors, the Soil and Water Conservation Commission must appoint a qualified voter from the county in the district in which the vacancy occurs for the unexpired term. Sets out the procedure for filling a vacancy when the board member creating the vacancy was elected in a partisan election. Makes organizational changes and removes outdated language.

Amends GS 139-7, concerning appointed members of the district board of supervisors, by removing the provision for the specified termination of the terms of office of all appointive supervisors who have been lawfully appointed for terms the final year of which presently extends beyond the first Monday in December. Also deletes the provision for filling vacancies in the elected supervisors. Makes organizational and technical changes.