NORTH CAROLINA -- A bill making its way through the North Carolina legislature would change the way some counties fill vacancies for the sheriff's office.

• Right now, in Alexander and Burke counties, if the sheriff leaves his seat prematurely, his political party in that county would appoint the next sheriff until elections
• Sen. Andy Wells from Alexander County introduced a bill which would take that power away from the political party and give it to county commissioners
• Alexander Sheriff Chris Bowman would prefer if the citizens would put the change to a vote

Right now, in Alexander and Burke counties, if the sheriff leaves his seat prematurely, his political party in that county would appoint the next sheriff until elections.

Sen. Andy Wells from Alexander County introduced a bill which would take that power away from the political party and give it to county commissioners.

Alexander Sheriff Chris Bowman, who is a Democrat, says the commissioners are all Republican and disagree with the proposed change.

The bill would also change the process in Burke County. Sheriff Bowman would prefer if the citizens would put the change to a vote.