Greg Roach's Berkshires Blog
Monday, July 13, 2009
  Wasted Money
From the sounds of things, it looks like there very well may be primary election in September for the city council race this fall. From a candidate's perspective, this has both its benefits and drawbacks. Basically it gives a candidate two opportunities to make a case, but it also costs more money for things like signs and such. In my case, it probably helps get my name out there more than it otherwise would. I welcome that opportunity.

However, from a taxpayer's point of view, this would be a royal waste of money if we hold a primary election simply to eliminate no more than a handful of candidates. The fact is that there are nine at-large seats and the top nine vote-getters in September will likely be the top nine, possibly save one or two, in November.

I understand the idea of such an election to narrow a field down to two candidates for one seat, i.e. the mayor's race, but that scenario doesn't seem to apply this year.

What's the point of narrowing down the council race? How much does such an election cost the city?
 
Comments:
Whats the number where they have a preliminary? 15? 18? If its up there, then I think it makes sense to do it... below that, I don't think so.

I honestly don't get it as far as the mayor's race. If there is more than 2 there is a preliminary. Why? 5,6,7... sure. But we have to break it down when there is 3? That's just weird.
 
The cutoff for a single election for council is 18. If we get 19+ candidates on the ballot, there will be lots of money spent eliminating very few also-rans who likely would have lost in the General Election.

I don't have a problem with the idea of 50% + 1 vote being required for a single office. I would prefer "instant run-off" to the current primary system, so that only one election needs to be held. More than one election for a non-partisan, small city, municipal election is a waste.
 
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