The Virginian-Pilot
©
RICHMOND
A proposal for partisan local elections has gained momentum in the Virginia House of Delegates over the objections of many local officials, including some in Hampton Roads.
Del. Steven Landes’ bill, HB 769, provides that candidates running in local elections who have been nominated by a political party would be identified as such on the ballot, just as those in state and federal elections are.
Under current law, ballots in local elections carry no party labels.
Landes’ bill was approved by a House subcommittee Monday with no dissenting votes.
Landes, R-Augusta County, said the measure is intended to clear up confusion among voters.
“Citizens want to know who is who,” he said.
Mary Jo Fields, director of research for the Virginia Municipal League, opposed the measure, saying many localities have a long tradition of nonpartisan elections.
“We are neighbors serving neighbors,” she said. “There’s concern that this will bring a level of partisanship to local elections that’s not present now.”
An informal poll of local leaders in South Hampton Roads turned up a similar reaction.
“Our elections have always been nonpartisan and I’d prefer to keep it that way,” said Suffolk Mayor Linda Johnson. “Our job is to make sure the potholes are filled and make sure the schools are working, and all of those are pretty much nonpartisan issues.”
Suffolk Councilman Robert C. Barclay IV called the proposal “another level of creeping polarization in Washington creeping down to every level of government, which I don’t think is healthy.”
Suffolk Councilman Charles Parr said he also opposes the idea. “When some people go into the booth, you could put ‘Curious George’ and put an ‘R’ beside him and they’d vote for Curious George,” he said. “Same thing if you put ‘D’ on there. Some people are going to vote D or R, and they don’t look at the qualifications.”
Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim said he is strongly opposed to anything resembling partisan elections in his city, and will ask the City Council today to take a position on the issue. He said the council’s position will be communicated to the city’s General Assembly delegation.
“Virginia gave birth to the city-manager form of government and this goes against that concept,” Fraim said. “We’ve tried not to listen to party lines on issues, and really run as individuals and not part of a party slate.”
Portsmouth Councilman Paige Cherry said he doesn’t like the idea primarily because federal government employees cannot seek political endorsements, and the new law would make for a more uneven playing field in local elections between those who can and cannot seek such support. Cherry, who is employed by the
Coast Guard, said this would affect many potential candidates in Hampton Roads, where federal employment is high.
Portsmouth Councilman Steve Heretick said his advice to the bill’s patron is: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
“I am unaware of any city or county in the commonwealth which has been harmed because candidates for local office are not identified as Republicans or Democrats,” Heretick said. “I think this bill would merely serve to further divide our communities.”
Pilot writers Dave Forster, Harry Minium, Marjon Rostami and Jeff Sheler contributed to this report.
Bill Sizemore, (804) 697-1560, bill.sizemore@pilotonline.com
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Government Employees
I don't think government employees of nay kind should be holding office. I have had enough of school employees becoming school board members and city council members. If they want to do that they need to resign. It's like being your own boss but on the tax payers dime.
Not just federal employees.
If the election allows party labels, the 1939 Hatch Act makes it illegal for Federal employees to run, period. But not just Federal employees: state and local employees and Federal contractors' employees are barred too. If a single dollar of your paycheck comes from Federal taxes, it's illegal for you to run in any election that allows an (R) or a (D) next to candidates' names on the ballot - even if the election's just for City Council, Norfolk Ward 4.
The municipal reform
The municipal reform movement of the last century promoted the council/manager form of government to bring professionalism and merit based performance to local governments that heretofore had been characterized by patronage and partisanship. Virginia was a leader in this movemnent, and the first council/manager city was Stanton, Virginia. Frankly, I prefer that model today, as there is not a republican or democratic way to pave a street, collect the trash, build utilities, or provide a library. Party labels only cause mischief, and in my view, we ought to have council members who put the city's interests above party politics, especially since the Legislature is shoving responsibilities back upon cities and local taxpayers.
One more time
Just another example of less governmental interference in our lives, I guess.
this must limburger ordering repubs to vote Obama in 08
I suppose there has always been cross party voting but it didnt reach mainstream until Limburger ordered republicans to vote in the Democratic primary in 08.
HUH?
Folks, this bill doesn't change non-partisan elections. If your elections are already partisan, party ID goes on the ballot with the candidate. If your elections are non-partisan now, they'll stay that way.
Sure they do....
"Mary Jo Fields, director of research for the Virginia Municipal League, opposed the measure, saying many localities have a long tradition of nonpartisan elections."
O.o
Which is why in the "core cities" in Hampton Roads, they're all members of a single party, right?
“There’s concern that
“There’s concern that this will bring a level of partisanship to local elections that’s not present now.”
I'd imagine that those who base their vote in partisanship are already doing so now. I don't think that would change just because the party affiliation is labeled on the ballot.