Section 1

Amends Section 1 of SL 1969-549, providing for the election of members of the Board of Education (Surry board) of Surry County on a partisan basis rather than a non-partisan basis beginning in 2020. Sets terms of office to four years and establishes parameters governing members' election and office, including taking office the first Monday in December immediately following their election. Repeals SL 1991-308, which directed that members take office at a Surry board meeting the July following the election.

Now requires the board to fill vacancies of seats elected on a partisan basis by a majority vote of the remaining Surry board members beginning in 2020, subject to residency limitations. Requires seats elected on a nonpartisan basis in 2016 and 2018 to be filled in accordance with specified state law.

Clarifies that the act does not affect the terms of members elected in 2016 or 2018 or their successors appointed to fill any vacancy.

Section 2

Amends Section 6 of SL 1895, as amended, providing for the election of members of the Board of Education of the Mount Airy City Schools Administrative Unit (Mount Airy board) on a partisan basis rather than on a nonpartisan plurality basis beginning in 2020. Establishes parameters governing members' election and office, including taking office the first Monday in December immediately following their election. Adds to the provisions requiring vacancies of the Mount Airy board to be filled by appointment of a qualified person by the remaining board members, now binding the board by the recommendation of the appropriate county executive committee political party of which the member being replaced was a member so long as a recommendation is made within 30 days of the vacancy, subject to specified residency limitations, beginning with members elected in 2020. Repeals subsection (g), which provided for the period for notice of candidacy. Makes language gender-neutral.

Clarifies that the act does not affect the terms of members elected in 2016 or 2018 or their successors appointed to fill any vacancy.

Section 3

Amends Section 4 of SL 1947-455, as amended, providing for the election of members of the Board of Education of the Elkin City Administrative Unit (Elkin City board) on a partisan rather than on a nonpartisan plurality basis. Establishes parameters governing members' election and office, including taking office the first Monday in December immediately following their election. Adds to the provisions requiring vacancies of the Elkin City board to be filled by appointment of a qualified person by the remaining board members, now binding the board by the recommendation of the appropriate county executive committee political party of which the the member being replaced was a member so long as a recommendation is made within 30 days of the vacancy, subject to specified residency limitations, beginning with members elected in 2020 (identical to the provisions added by the act concerning vacancies of the Mount Airy board). Repeals provisions setting forth the period for notice of candidacy. Makes language gender-neutral. 

Clarifies that the act does not affect the terms of members elected in 2016 or 2018 or their successors appointed to fill any vacancy.

Section 4

Adds Surry County to the scope of GS 115C-37.1, which sets forth provisions regarding vacancies in offices of county boards elected on partisan basis in specified counties, effective the first Monday of December 2020.