Commissioners plan to hold a special meeting in the morning to try to reach a compromise. Democrats want to appoint George Dunlap to the seat left vacant by Valerie Woodard's death. Republicans don't, and told Eyewitness News they may even skip the meeting.

If commissioners can't agree in the morning, they go to court in the afternoon.

This battle is drawing attention to the county commission races, which may have gotten lost in the shuffle this election year.

But political expert Michael Bitzer said he doesn't think the attention is enough to make a big impact.

"The voters that are really going to care are those folks living in the district. Outside of it, probably not so much," he said. Thank you for participating. How Will The Battle Over The County Commission Seat Affect The Upcoming Elections? How will the battle over the open Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners seat affect the upcoming elections? It will help the Democrats, hurt the Republicans. It will help the Republicans, hurt the Democrats. It will hurt both. It will help both. It will only hurt incumbents.

Democrat Commissioner Parks Helms isn't running for re-election, but he probably hopes Bitzer is right. He said he's afraid voters do notice the bickering and blame all incumbents.

"I think we all get the criticism, doesn't matter whether it was Republicans or Democrats. I think it simply is a turn off to voters," Helms said.

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