Texas: Cynthia Dunbar

A proposal before Texas lawmakers would change the way the State Board of Education is elected. Members from the 15 districts would run on non-partisan ballots instead of party affiliation.

Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, is the author of HB 420. Local school board elections are non-partisan. Converting the State Board of Education to non-partisan elections might help diminish the board's partisan squabbling, she and other supporters say. Opponents counter that party affiliation helps voters identify with candidates. Without the party label, voters may not have a clue as to where the various candidates stand.

State Board of Education members were asked for their opinion on Howard's bill.