High Point's incumbent protection plan works
From the time High Point City Council proposed shifting its election schedule, I've viewed the idea as an incumbent protection plan.
With filing completed for this fall's election, I'm proven right.
Mayor Becky Smothers and Council members Bernita Sims in Ward 1, Michael Pugh in Ward 3, Bill Bencini in Ward 4 and Chris Whitley in Ward 5 are unopposed.
There are contested races in Wards 2 and 6 where incumbents Ron Wilkins and Lisa Stahlmann, respectively, aren't seeking re-election.
The other competitive race is for the two at-large seats. There are four candidates, including incumbent Latimer Alexander. The other incumbent, John Faircloth, is running for the Ward 6 seat, so newcomers do have an open at-large seat to shoot for.
The reason for this shortage of candidates was easy to predict. It's too difficult to unseat incumbents when your race falls near the bottom of the ballot in a presidential election year. Challengers would struggle to win the voters' notice. It's much easier to get attention in odd-numbered years when the city elections are the main attraction.
The council's justification for switching municipal elections to even-numbered years was voter turnout. It will see a much larger turnout, no doubt about it. So what? More voters will have less choice.
Comments (3)
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What about term limits?
Posted on August 1, 2008 4:52 PM
Not needed, in my opinion, if voters have choices. Try to create a level political playing field before you impose some aribitary restriction.
Remember, term limits on office holders also limit voters.
Posted on August 1, 2008 5:02 PM
how about clean elections?
Posted on August 1, 2008 5:55 PM