CHARLOTTE, N.C.,None — Many state lawmakers from the Charlotte area are announcing this week that they will run for re-election. But a 9 investigation found some of them have missed votes on issues -- in some cases, hundreds of votes.
Eyewitness News looked through a year of voting records for 50 lawmakers who represent the Charlotte region in the state legislature in Raleigh and found some of them repeatedly missing votes that affect the people they represent.
State records show Mecklenburg County state Sen. Malcolm Graham was absent for 240 votes. That's 25 percent of all the votes in the Senate in the past year.
House member Ric Killian was absent for 210 votes.
And one of the longest-serving state lawmakers from Mecklenburg County, Charlie Smith Dannelly, missed 152 votes.
Dr. Susan Roberts is a political science professor at Davidson College. Eyewitness News showed her what we found.
She was surprised at so many missed votes, especially in a year that saw contentious debate over the budget and voter ID laws.
PDF: Numbers of votes missed by state lawmakers
“In my position as an average voter, I would be astounded and I think the average voter would say, ‘Why weren't you there?’” Roberts said.
She added: “I think it would decrease their effectiveness because if you're not there, how can I count on you?”
Eyewitness News sent letters to all of the local lawmakers who missed more than 60 votes last year, asking why.
Some cited medical reasons. Others blamed the absences on their full-time jobs or child care.
A staff member for Ric Killian responded, "Any absences of Rep. Killian have been due to military service or hip replacement surgery."
Eyewitness News repeatedly asked Sen. Malcolm Graham to explain his 240 absences. He refused to be interviewed but Wednesday morning sent a statement, saying, "I participated in over 700 other votes, while doing my best to be a good husband and father, and make a living to support my family."
Eyewitness News caught up with Sen. Dannelly outside his home in northwest Charlotte to ask about the 152 votes he missed.
“This is a total surprise as far as I'm concerned,” Dannelly said.
“How well are you representing your constituents if you're not there?” Eyewitness News anchor Blair Miller asked.
“Well, in my mind, I'm representing them quite well,” Dannelly said. “What I can't understand is, how can I miss that many votes when I'm in the chamber?”
Dannelly believes he missed maybe 20 to 30 votes and now plans to question official state records himself.
But on the flip side, Eyewitness News found Rep. Bill Brawley was the only Mecklenburg County lawmaker with zero absences.
“I take it seriously,” Brawley said. “In my profession of commercial real estate, I have control over my schedule and while I'll concede that it's probably cost me some money, if we need to be there, I'm there.”
Most of these absences are considered excused but even some lawmakers told Eyewitness News that they don't have to give a detailed reason for an absence.
Sen. Malcolm Graham issued this statement on his absences:
"In the North Carolina Senate, we are often required to make difficult choices to resolve scheduling conflicts and to best serve our constituents. I made sure to be available to address some of the most critical matters facing our state. I voted on the statewide budget, redistricting, the 'Woman’s Right to Know Act,' election laws, and was one of the primary sponsors of Senate Bill 8 'Lift the Cap on Charter Schools.' I participated in over 700 other votes, while doing my best to be a good husband and father, and make a living to support my family. I’m committed to serving my state and will continue to do my best in that effort."
Rep. Rick Killian’s office issued this statement:
"Thank you for your inquiry. Representative Killian is currently serving in Afghanistan and is unable to communicate at this time. Any absences of Representative Killian have been due to military service or hip replacement surgery and have been excused."