The Charter Commission is in the process of reviewing Newton’s charter and proposing changes that will be voted on at next year’s municipal election. After each article is reviewed, we plan to share with you the significant changes we are proposing. However, keep in mind that because of the interconnections between various articles of the charter, we don’t consider any of these changes to be final. As we continue to move through the charter, we may revisit any of these decisions.
We recently reviewed Article 8 of the Charter – Nominations and Elections. Among the recommendations of the commission are:
* Remove the words “candidate for re-election” next to incumbents’ names on municipal ballots.
* Allow only the candidate name and address to appear on the ballot. (Presently, in preliminary and special elections, candidates may include on the ballot an 8-word statement on elected offices held by the candidate.)
* Maintain the number of signatures required to run for each elected office.
* Maintain non-partisan municipal elections.
* Maintain mandatory special elections to fill vacancies in all elected offices up until the final 9 months of the term.
* Allow the City Council the option to call a special election to fill a vacancy on the city council or school committee during the final 9 months of a term; otherwise the office remains vacant.
* Fill a vacancy in the office of the mayor during the final 9 months of the term by making the City Council President the Acting Mayor.
* Postpone the discussion of the number of wards until the review of articles 2 and 4.
Here is a link to the working draft of Article 8.
Please share your thoughts. There is still plenty of time to revise, and we welcome feedback.
I like removing “candidate for re-election” from the ballots. But I’ve long been a proponent of including “none of the above” [NOTA] on all local ballots. All elections should be contested. Putting NOTA on the ballot accomplishes that. Does anyone really think a candidate is entitled to hold elective office simply because they are the only name on the ballot?
I like removing “candidate for re-election” from the ballots. But I’ve long been a proponent of including “none of the above” [NOTA] on all local ballots. All elections should be contested. Putting NOTA on the ballot accomplishes that. Does anyone really think a candidate is entitled to hold elective office simply because they are the only name on the ballot?
Ditto on both of Mike’s points.
Do we have too few, too many, or the just the right number of contested elections? If you agree with me, too few, why would we would to keep the number of required signatures the same? Let’s make is easier for people to run for office. Let’s reduce the number of required signatures.
Question for Tom Sheff and Rhanna Kidwell, is the required number of signatures needed to kick off the Charter Commission too few, too many, or just right? May we also reduce the number of signatures needed for the next Charter?
Ditto on both of Mike’s points.
Do we have too few, too many, or the just the right number of contested elections? If you agree with me, too few, why would we would to keep the number of required signatures the same? Let’s make is easier for people to run for office. Let’s reduce the number of required signatures.
Question for Tom Sheff and Rhanna Kidwell, is the required number of signatures needed to kick off the Charter Commission too few, too many, or just right? May we also reduce the number of signatures needed for the next Charter?
Hi Jeffrey – I collected 150% of the required signatures in less than 2 days and actually found the process enjoyable. If a candidate isn’t willing to put in that amount of time, will they be committed to doing the many hours of work required of a City Councilor or School Committee member?
Hi Jeffrey – I collected 150% of the required signatures in less than 2 days and actually found the process enjoyable. If a candidate isn’t willing to put in that amount of time, will they be committed to doing the many hours of work required of a City Councilor or School Committee member?
Jeffrey, the signature requirement for initiating a charter commission ballot question is governed under state law, so we can’t change that. I’ve thought a lot about the question you pose…15% of registered voters is a pretty high hurdle for a city our size (~8,400 signatures), especially in New England, where signature collection can only take place about 5 months of the year. The city of Fall River also has a charter commission right now (close in size to Newton), and they took about the same amount of time to collect the signatures. But, as I say, we can’t change that.
I agree with Jane on the number of nomination signatures. The current requirement is fairly low, and there are no other qualifications for holding office other than being a registered voter. I would like to see more contested elections, but I don’t think the signature requirement is the issue.
Jeffrey, the signature requirement for initiating a charter commission ballot question is governed under state law, so we can’t change that. I’ve thought a lot about the question you pose…15% of registered voters is a pretty high hurdle for a city our size (~8,400 signatures), especially in New England, where signature collection can only take place about 5 months of the year. The city of Fall River also has a charter commission right now (close in size to Newton), and they took about the same amount of time to collect the signatures. But, as I say, we can’t change that.
I agree with Jane on the number of nomination signatures. The current requirement is fairly low, and there are no other qualifications for holding office other than being a registered voter. I would like to see more contested elections, but I don’t think the signature requirement is the issue.
Jane, whoops! You forgot to answer my question. Do we have too few, too many, or the just the right number of contested elections? If you agree with me, then cutting the number required signatures won’t hurt. Some people (like me) are shy. Some people might think that getting the required numbers are more difficult then they really are. They might realize after the fact that it is easy. This does not mean that they are bad candidates.
Is it better for voters to have a choice between a lazy (or shy) candidate and an incumbent, or no choice?
Let’s pretend that decreasing the number of signatures only increases the numbers of bad candidates. This forces incumbents to run for office. Are we worse off having incumbents attend debates and voters events? Set up websites? Tell the Tab what they stand for? Shake hands and listen to their constituents?
Jane, whoops! You forgot to answer my question. Do we have too few, too many, or the just the right number of contested elections? If you agree with me, then cutting the number required signatures won’t hurt. Some people (like me) are shy. Some people might think that getting the required numbers are more difficult then they really are. They might realize after the fact that it is easy. This does not mean that they are bad candidates.
Is it better for voters to have a choice between a lazy (or shy) candidate and an incumbent, or no choice?
Let’s pretend that decreasing the number of signatures only increases the numbers of bad candidates. This forces incumbents to run for office. Are we worse off having incumbents attend debates and voters events? Set up websites? Tell the Tab what they stand for? Shake hands and listen to their constituents?
Hi Jeffrey, Rhanna is obviously right about the charter review signatures. It’s meant to be high so it’s difficult to have a charter review.
Hi Jeffrey, Rhanna is obviously right about the charter review signatures. It’s meant to be high so it’s difficult to have a charter review.
We have too few contested elections, but I don’t think the signature requirement is at fault. As was said above, if you want to hold public office you have to be willing to talk to the people you’d be representing.
As I said on another thread, I think the reason there are so few contested elections is because there are too many positions to fill and not enough people who can afford to take on low-paying, part-time but high workload positions.
We have too few contested elections, but I don’t think the signature requirement is at fault. As was said above, if you want to hold public office you have to be willing to talk to the people you’d be representing.
As I said on another thread, I think the reason there are so few contested elections is because there are too many positions to fill and not enough people who can afford to take on low-paying, part-time but high workload positions.
I say Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes – so far so good
I say Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes – so far so good
Why would we give the City Council the option to call a special election for a vacancy on City Council or School Committee, but not for Mayor? Why have the option for any, and if for some, why not the most important position?
Why would we give the City Council the option to call a special election for a vacancy on City Council or School Committee, but not for Mayor? Why have the option for any, and if for some, why not the most important position?
Results speak louder than words, low resident participation in government, low voter turnout, debilitating status-quoism, ‘run-from-government’ mindset based on a history of inefficient poor performance, entitlement mentality proffered by an affluent city – are but a few overwhelming good reasons for NOTA.
Respect for the citizen in taking the time & effort in voting should not be a second-guessed assumption by those elected to power.
Our legislative body handles the land use permitting process. In so doing those affected by that power need a scorecard NOTA opportunity. Give the voter citizen a carrot before ‘la machine’ Golden Circle sticks it to them.
Results speak louder than words, low resident participation in government, low voter turnout, debilitating status-quoism, ‘run-from-government’ mindset based on a history of inefficient poor performance, entitlement mentality proffered by an affluent city – are but a few overwhelming good reasons for NOTA.
Respect for the citizen in taking the time & effort in voting should not be a second-guessed assumption by those elected to power.
Our legislative body handles the land use permitting process. In so doing those affected by that power need a scorecard NOTA opportunity. Give the voter citizen a carrot before ‘la machine’ Golden Circle sticks it to them.
Jeffrey, whoops, you’re right! We have too few contested elections and that’s a serious concern. But the number of signatures isn’t the issue to my mind because the threshold is fairly low. If you have other ideas about how to increase the number of candidates running for office, we’d love to hear them. My personal response to the unengaged incumbent, or one who responds to just one segment of the community, is to refrain from voting for the person.
Paul – This item (filling vacancies) applies to the last 9 months of a term only. Given that set of circumstances, the special election may very well occur during the summer. Upon reflection, several members of the Commission asked to revisit the issue of filling vacancies on the Council and School Committee in the last 9 months; that discussion will happen in the coming months. These were straw votes only.
Jeffrey, whoops, you’re right! We have too few contested elections and that’s a serious concern. But the number of signatures isn’t the issue to my mind because the threshold is fairly low. If you have other ideas about how to increase the number of candidates running for office, we’d love to hear them. My personal response to the unengaged incumbent, or one who responds to just one segment of the community, is to refrain from voting for the person.
Paul – This item (filling vacancies) applies to the last 9 months of a term only. Given that set of circumstances, the special election may very well occur during the summer. Upon reflection, several members of the Commission asked to revisit the issue of filling vacancies on the Council and School Committee in the last 9 months; that discussion will happen in the coming months. These were straw votes only.
Lacking in the 1970 charter was insight and vision into how things in technology and citizenry lifestyle would change. We as a civilization have diverted our daily tasking due to the internet, cyber proficiency affecting everyone, leaving those not engaged behind in the old way systems. Underlying this respect for old and new is a trust and expectation that government seeks and delivers best practices. Best practices is relatively new from FAF of 1972 & GASB of 1984, embracing a moral compass teaching tool for better government accountability.
Along those lines, a charter should encompass an article for a slipstream into streamlined voting technology, whereby there might come a day when the voter will not be faltered from voting by weather, illness, poll worker staffing, brick & mortar structure, or hardship.
Yes, government efficiency has improved, but still lacking in many creative cost saving money making opportunities encircled by the internet.
Lacking in the 1970 charter was insight and vision into how things in technology and citizenry lifestyle would change. We as a civilization have diverted our daily tasking due to the internet, cyber proficiency affecting everyone, leaving those not engaged behind in the old way systems. Underlying this respect for old and new is a trust and expectation that government seeks and delivers best practices. Best practices is relatively new from FAF of 1972 & GASB of 1984, embracing a moral compass teaching tool for better government accountability.
Along those lines, a charter should encompass an article for a slipstream into streamlined voting technology, whereby there might come a day when the voter will not be faltered from voting by weather, illness, poll worker staffing, brick & mortar structure, or hardship.
Yes, government efficiency has improved, but still lacking in many creative cost saving money making opportunities encircled by the internet.
I agree with all of the Charter Commission’s recommendations.
I also agree with adding “none of the above” as a choice. It won’t affect the results of the election but will provide more information about the election to voters and to candidates, incumbent and otherwise, who can see where they stand among the electorate.
There is a difference between “refraining from voting for a candidate,” the choice we have now, and having NOTA as a category listed on the ballot. In the final breakdown of the voting results, there would be a space for the number of voters who marked NOTA instead of just the number of votes a candidate received. It would show that voters made an active decision not to vote for a candidate rather than just passively not voting for either candidate, which could be because voters just skipped it for any number of reasons, including not recognizing the names. Even if you consider a non-vote to be an active decision personally, there is no way to differentiate that action in the results.
There are too few contested elections; agree there too. But such a small number of signatures is required, I don’t believe lowering it will help bring out more candidates. If a person is shy or has social anxiety, it would be good to confront it in the beginning because eventually it will be necessary to convince residents, up front and personal, the candidate doesn’t know to vote for her/him. Jane, I don’t think your example of how easy and fun collecting signatures was for you applies to many wishing to run for office for the first time – could be because being a teacher for 40 years in Newton and living more than one place here means you not only know a lot of residents but also work with new students and parents every year – just a thought.
I agree with all of the Charter Commission’s recommendations.
I also agree with adding “none of the above” as a choice. It won’t affect the results of the election but will provide more information about the election to voters and to candidates, incumbent and otherwise, who can see where they stand among the electorate.
There is a difference between “refraining from voting for a candidate,” the choice we have now, and having NOTA as a category listed on the ballot. In the final breakdown of the voting results, there would be a space for the number of voters who marked NOTA instead of just the number of votes a candidate received. It would show that voters made an active decision not to vote for a candidate rather than just passively not voting for either candidate, which could be because voters just skipped it for any number of reasons, including not recognizing the names. Even if you consider a non-vote to be an active decision personally, there is no way to differentiate that action in the results.
There are too few contested elections; agree there too. But such a small number of signatures is required, I don’t believe lowering it will help bring out more candidates. If a person is shy or has social anxiety, it would be good to confront it in the beginning because eventually it will be necessary to convince residents, up front and personal, the candidate doesn’t know to vote for her/him. Jane, I don’t think your example of how easy and fun collecting signatures was for you applies to many wishing to run for office for the first time – could be because being a teacher for 40 years in Newton and living more than one place here means you not only know a lot of residents but also work with new students and parents every year – just a thought.
I don’t read Rhanna’s comment to mean the number of signatures needed for a charter review should remain as high as it is now. I think she agreed that it requires a large number of signatures but says that number is controlled by the state so Newton cannot change it.
I don’t read Rhanna’s comment to mean the number of signatures needed for a charter review should remain as high as it is now. I think she agreed that it requires a large number of signatures but says that number is controlled by the state so Newton cannot change it.
When Mike Striar raised the issue about allowing NOTA on ballots, prior to the charter commission election, I had asked David Olsen in city hall and was told this is not permitted in Massachusetts. Apparently it is not allowed in many places but was proposed around 2007. If this were an option, I wonder how many run special elections taxpayers would be willing to pay for to get a position filled and if the special elections would draw out more candidates to run for the open seats?
When Mike Striar raised the issue about allowing NOTA on ballots, prior to the charter commission election, I had asked David Olsen in city hall and was told this is not permitted in Massachusetts. Apparently it is not allowed in many places but was proposed around 2007. If this were an option, I wonder how many run special elections taxpayers would be willing to pay for to get a position filled and if the special elections would draw out more candidates to run for the open seats?
Thanks for the info Groot, I was planning to look into that today!
Thanks for the info Groot, I was planning to look into that today!
Thanks Jane.
I’m curious on the logic for thinking about doing special elections for City Council and School Committee, but not Mayor. Not clear why we’d choose different approaches. I understand its early, just looking to better understand the thinking.
Thanks Jane.
I’m curious on the logic for thinking about doing special elections for City Council and School Committee, but not Mayor. Not clear why we’d choose different approaches. I understand its early, just looking to better understand the thinking.
If I had a dime for every time someone told me, “you can’t do that,” or such-and-such “isn’t allowed,” I could retire and dedicate myself to being a full time pain in the ass to our local politicians.
And just for the record, it doesn’t necessarily require a Special Election to fill an office when a candidate loses to NOTA. NOTA is a means to keep unqualified candidates out of office. The alternative is allowing unqualified candidates to take office. NOTA is a way to make every local election mean something.
Personally, I think our elected offices should be occupied by qualified people, and no one should win because they are the only person on the ballot. If I was hiring someone for a job, and the only applicant was unqualified, I would not give them the job. Yet, we’re talking about the public trust here. The power of elected office. And we’ve been handing these important jobs to people who are subject to no public input beyond raising a few signatures.
If I had a dime for every time someone told me, “you can’t do that,” or such-and-such “isn’t allowed,” I could retire and dedicate myself to being a full time pain in the ass to our local politicians.
And just for the record, it doesn’t necessarily require a Special Election to fill an office when a candidate loses to NOTA. NOTA is a means to keep unqualified candidates out of office. The alternative is allowing unqualified candidates to take office. NOTA is a way to make every local election mean something.
Personally, I think our elected offices should be occupied by qualified people, and no one should win because they are the only person on the ballot. If I was hiring someone for a job, and the only applicant was unqualified, I would not give them the job. Yet, we’re talking about the public trust here. The power of elected office. And we’ve been handing these important jobs to people who are subject to no public input beyond raising a few signatures.
Paul,
We review a combination of factors. We looked at data from other communities, considered feedback from residents and electeds, looked at our history in the last 15 – 20 years in an effort to come up with a solution that works work well for Newton. I had many people tell me that they didn’t think a Councilor vacancy needed to be filled in the last year or so. School Committee members have said the same.
As for the mayoral situation – as you well know, the decision about the form of government has yet to be decided. If the Commission votes to maintain a strong mayor form of government, then we’ve put a lot of work behind us. If the Commission decides otherwise, then we move on and these decisions are no longer a part of the picture. All decisions are straw votes at this point.
As for the decision related to how to fill a mayoral vacancy, both the data from other communities and community feedback favored the decision we made on the issue.
Paul,
We review a combination of factors. We looked at data from other communities, considered feedback from residents and electeds, looked at our history in the last 15 – 20 years in an effort to come up with a solution that works work well for Newton. I had many people tell me that they didn’t think a Councilor vacancy needed to be filled in the last year or so. School Committee members have said the same.
As for the mayoral situation – as you well know, the decision about the form of government has yet to be decided. If the Commission votes to maintain a strong mayor form of government, then we’ve put a lot of work behind us. If the Commission decides otherwise, then we move on and these decisions are no longer a part of the picture. All decisions are straw votes at this point.
As for the decision related to how to fill a mayoral vacancy, both the data from other communities and community feedback favored the decision we made on the issue.
I’ve been away dealing with family health issues – but would love to get more info on the Commission’s request for $45,000. Would this cover the costs needed for not only the consultant’s and clerk’s fee, but also any additional research needed to complete the work of the Commission?
I’ve been away dealing with family health issues – but would love to get more info on the Commission’s request for $45,000. Would this cover the costs needed for not only the consultant’s and clerk’s fee, but also any additional research needed to complete the work of the Commission?
Yes, It would cover the costs through 2017.
Yes, It would cover the costs through 2017.
Thanks Jane!
Thanks Jane!
It seems like everyone except me thinks that lowering the signature will help. Jane and Rhanna (and Josh and Bryan) remember you are not normal. You collected signatures. 79,124 people (or something like that ) did not!
I am not totally wrong. Someone in the next 100 years is going to be at home, reading the Newton Tab, and they will start yelling at their spouse, “I am sick of it. I am going to city hall to pull papers.” If there is no signature requirement they might stick with being on the ballot, if there is a signature requirement they might just not pursue it.
It is a matter of degree. We know the number of contested election will not go down if we decrease the signature requirement. What is the benefit of keeping it where it is? If we have one more contested election it is worth it to me. It will give me something to read about in the paper and blog about.
It seems like everyone except me thinks that lowering the signature will help. Jane and Rhanna (and Josh and Bryan) remember you are not normal. You collected signatures. 79,124 people (or something like that ) did not!
I am not totally wrong. Someone in the next 100 years is going to be at home, reading the Newton Tab, and they will start yelling at their spouse, “I am sick of it. I am going to city hall to pull papers.” If there is no signature requirement they might stick with being on the ballot, if there is a signature requirement they might just not pursue it.
It is a matter of degree. We know the number of contested election will not go down if we decrease the signature requirement. What is the benefit of keeping it where it is? If we have one more contested election it is worth it to me. It will give me something to read about in the paper and blog about.
Regarding the $75K budget. Everyone talks about being data driven, but no one is data driven.
There has to be a big chunk of political science journals that is devoted to how changes in local rules affect voting behavior, candidate quality, number of contested elections, etc. Don’t we all what know what the data says. Darn it, I do!
Here is my suggestion, find a PhD student in political science who is an empiricist. This will not be hard. I can give you advice on how to find them. Pay them a pittance (like $25 an hour) to write a 10 page report that summarizes the empirical political science literature on voting rules in laymen’s terms. This won’t cost a lot and it will be immensely useful. For the PhD student it will force them to read papers that they probably need to read before they start their dissertation.
Regarding the $75K budget. Everyone talks about being data driven, but no one is data driven.
There has to be a big chunk of political science journals that is devoted to how changes in local rules affect voting behavior, candidate quality, number of contested elections, etc. Don’t we all what know what the data says. Darn it, I do!
Here is my suggestion, find a PhD student in political science who is an empiricist. This will not be hard. I can give you advice on how to find them. Pay them a pittance (like $25 an hour) to write a 10 page report that summarizes the empirical political science literature on voting rules in laymen’s terms. This won’t cost a lot and it will be immensely useful. For the PhD student it will force them to read papers that they probably need to read before they start their dissertation.
Sorry about the typo two posts ago. “It seems like everyone except me thinks that lowering the signature will NOT help. “
Sorry about the typo two posts ago. “It seems like everyone except me thinks that lowering the signature will NOT help. “
What is the purpose of changing the practice of writing out in letters the numbers in the Charter and replacing the letters with numerals?
What is the purp0se of adding the positions appointed by the Mayor, Council, and School Committee to requirement to have a certification of election?
Brian Yates
What is the purpose of changing the practice of writing out in letters the numbers in the Charter and replacing the letters with numerals?
What is the purp0se of adding the positions appointed by the Mayor, Council, and School Committee to requirement to have a certification of election?
Brian Yates
What is the purpose of eliminating the information “candidate for re-election?”
Satisffied voters could use this information to vote yes. Disatified voters could use it to vote No.
Brian Yates
What is the purpose of eliminating the information “candidate for re-election?”
Satisffied voters could use this information to vote yes. Disatified voters could use it to vote No.
Brian Yates
@Jeffrey Pontiff, I have pulled papers now for 3 elections. Surprisingly, it took me less time to get 150% of the required signatures to run for the charter commission than for the Highlands Area council, which needed far fewer signatures. For me the barrier has been the time needed after winning an election. I was teasing Dick Blazer last election about running against him for Ward Alderman (now Councillor) and he was happy to be the first one to sign the papers. Paraphrasing him “Running is easy, winning is hard work”.
Running for municipal office seems to be a (large) step up from voting. We only do it if we think it is important and will affect us. Ironically, results of local elections often have more direct impact on our lives than national elections but many folks don’t make the selfish act of participating in local races, either as candidates or voters.
@Jeffrey Pontiff, I have pulled papers now for 3 elections. Surprisingly, it took me less time to get 150% of the required signatures to run for the charter commission than for the Highlands Area council, which needed far fewer signatures. For me the barrier has been the time needed after winning an election. I was teasing Dick Blazer last election about running against him for Ward Alderman (now Councillor) and he was happy to be the first one to sign the papers. Paraphrasing him “Running is easy, winning is hard work”.
Running for municipal office seems to be a (large) step up from voting. We only do it if we think it is important and will affect us. Ironically, results of local elections often have more direct impact on our lives than national elections but many folks don’t make the selfish act of participating in local races, either as candidates or voters.
@Groot. The question remains. What is the benefit of the current level of signatures?
We might have a rule on the books that in order to run for office you need to run around city hall three times with a snorkel and swimsuit. Maybe this rule is not an obstacle, but if there is no benefit from having it, why continue ?
If our elections were chock full of candidates, I would not be bringing this up.
I think there would be tremendous entertainment benefit to the snorkle/swimsuit rule. Charter Commissioners, are you listening?
@Groot. The question remains. What is the benefit of the current level of signatures?
We might have a rule on the books that in order to run for office you need to run around city hall three times with a snorkel and swimsuit. Maybe this rule is not an obstacle, but if there is no benefit from having it, why continue ?
If our elections were chock full of candidates, I would not be bringing this up.
I think there would be tremendous entertainment benefit to the snorkle/swimsuit rule. Charter Commissioners, are you listening?
@Jeffery, for me the benefit was meeting voters. But I think the value is getting some nominal level of support from the voters.
@Jeffery, for me the benefit was meeting voters. But I think the value is getting some nominal level of support from the voters.
I enjoy collecting the signatures I need for my own name to go on the ballot for NH Area Council. I only needed 25 signatures, but I collected five times that number in the most recent election by knocking on doors to get a signature and to ask what they thought about establishing a local historic district (LHD) in Newton Highlands. There was a strong majority in favor, a very small minority opposed and about a quarter who had no opinion one way or another. I ran on a ticket with Rodney Barker, his infamous “Barker Machine” where we both coasted to victory in a hard fought contest against many tough contenders.
I enjoy collecting the signatures I need for my own name to go on the ballot for NH Area Council. I only needed 25 signatures, but I collected five times that number in the most recent election by knocking on doors to get a signature and to ask what they thought about establishing a local historic district (LHD) in Newton Highlands. There was a strong majority in favor, a very small minority opposed and about a quarter who had no opinion one way or another. I ran on a ticket with Rodney Barker, his infamous “Barker Machine” where we both coasted to victory in a hard fought contest against many tough contenders.
I agree with Brian Yates. Eliminating the “running for reelection” language deletes important information, particularly for voters who haven’t paid lots of attention to who the players are. For them, if they are generally satisfied with how things are going then voting for incumbents makes sense. If not satisfied then throwing the bums out might apply.
I agree with Brian Yates. Eliminating the “running for reelection” language deletes important information, particularly for voters who haven’t paid lots of attention to who the players are. For them, if they are generally satisfied with how things are going then voting for incumbents makes sense. If not satisfied then throwing the bums out might apply.
Fully disagree with Dan and Brian.
Running for re-election provides an unfair advantage for one candidate- one gets to provide information about themselves and implicitly make the case for incumbency, the other gets no information provided on why they may be better or worse.
All candidates should be treated the same on the ballot. No bias.
Fully disagree with Dan and Brian.
Running for re-election provides an unfair advantage for one candidate- one gets to provide information about themselves and implicitly make the case for incumbency, the other gets no information provided on why they may be better or worse.
All candidates should be treated the same on the ballot. No bias.
As much as I would love to see our councillors running around in snorkels, I think the added value of signature gathering is that there is some de minimis level of support needed to get on the ballot, and it also forces some minimum level of voter contact.
And lets be honest, anyone can gather 100 signatures sitting in front of the library for a day.
As much as I would love to see our councillors running around in snorkels, I think the added value of signature gathering is that there is some de minimis level of support needed to get on the ballot, and it also forces some minimum level of voter contact.
And lets be honest, anyone can gather 100 signatures sitting in front of the library for a day.