Del. Chris Saxman (R-20) has proposed that all local elections – mayors, councils, school boards – be held in November. The law currently allows these elections to be held in May, although a change a couple of years ago allowed localities to move the elections to November if they desired. Locally, Virginia Beach elected to move council elections to November and their first such contest will be held this fall. Norfolk, however, has decided to continue with May elections.
There are those who believe moving local elections to November will result in partisanship being injected into the races. Another factor considered is that it will increase the cost of these races, thereby eliminating more people from running. On the other hand, November elections are likely to increase voter participation. Compare, for example, the May 2006 Norfolk council races, in which some 19,000 votes were cast (out of about 106,000 registered voters) to the November 2006 races, in which some 50,000 votes were cast.
The bill is currently in the Elections subcommittee of the House Privileges and Elections committee.
One change that should be noted when a move to November is made: Filing deadlines are about 5 months before election day for November races. Deadlines for May elections are 2 months prior.
Posted by Brian Kirwin | Wednesday, January 16, 2008, 1:12 pmGood point.
Posted by vjp | Wednesday, January 16, 2008, 4:20 pmLeave them as they are.
Posted by Brian | Wednesday, January 16, 2008, 4:55 pmLet the localities decide what’s best for the locality. A novel idea, given this Dillon Rule state were in!
Posted by eileen | Wednesday, January 16, 2008, 7:43 pm