CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- In less than a year's time, the local Democratic Party has endured the felony conviction of former state Speaker Jim Black and is embroiled in controversy over the election of Nick Mackey as sheriff. We asked the chairs of both parties what effect all of this may have at the polls this fall.

Speaking for area Democrats, David Erdman said his party is looking at all of this as a learning experience and chance to grow and improve.

His counterpart, Republican chair Lee Teague, said although he doesn't believe the Democrats will crumble into pieces because of a couple of controversies, it will have an effect on voters this fall.

One misconception that both men agree on is people aren't switching en mass from one party to the other in protest of current events. Although Teague does point to a jump in the number of independent voters.

Erdman said he doesn't believe that so many people are talking about the Mackey situation is entirely a bad thing. He believes issues that inspire and motivate people to be more involved in the political process is good for everyone.

November is almost a year away, and the fact that this is a presidential election year may in fact work in the Democrats' favor. Traditionally the majority of voters attention is focused on the national stage, potentially lessening any impact local issues have on local elections as they have a tendency to fly under the radar.

Still, Teague says voters have a longer memory than the Democrats may want to admit. He believes some ramifications of the past year's Democratic woes will be felt especially in state and county elections.

Besides the vote for president, voters in Mecklenburg County will be headed to the polls to elect a state governor, U.S. senator, and a myriad of state and local officials.

Will people still be mumbling about Nick Mackey or grumbling about Jim Black by then? Only time will tell.

To hear candid interviews with both David Erdman and Lee Teague, look in the sidebar of this article.