Why not have Non Partisan Elections in Walton County?

[Dave Rauschkolb]

In the District 5 County Commission race this year, Amy Coble Wise's entry into the main keeps Democrats and Independents from casting their votes in the Primary. Is this fair? Should we not consider having non partisan elections in Walton County? Not only to stop disenfranchisement but it appears to be a more efficient manor or electing local officials.

Here is an article from the National Association of Counties on the spread of Non Partisan elections
http://www.naco.org/sites/default/files/documents/County Elections Partisian or Non Partisian.pdf


And here: an excerpt from the Columbia Law Review

Excerpt from:
Local Nonpartisan Elections, Political Parties and the First Amendment
Nancy Northup
Columbia Law Review
Vol. 87, No. 8 (Dec., 1987), pp. 1677-1701
Published by: Columbia Law Review Association, Inc.
DOI: 10.2307/1122744
Stable URL: Local Nonpartisan Elections, Political Parties and the First Amendment on JSTOR
Page Count: 25

 

[Bob Hudson]

Change to a Charter County !

 

[Mike Jones]

It seems like parties on a local level is more divisive than ever. Such an old boy network thing.

 

[Jimmy T]

I changed my party affiliation so that I can vote in the primaries. Took me about 5 minutes at the annex.

 

[Danny Glidewell]

Locals generally do not divide along party lines on local issues. Party affiliation is used more and more to play games with the process but I cannot recall an instance where anyone said they were for or against a local position because that position was supported by Republicans or Democrats. The divisions among locals generally fall between how individuals feel about growth and development but the issues are complex and today's ally may be tomorrow's opponent.

 

[Dave Rauschkolb]

I changed my party affiliation so that I can vote in the primaries. Took me about 5 minutes at the annex.

I'm doing it today!

 

[Dave Rauschkolb]

Locals generally do not divide along party lines on local issues. Party affiliation is used more and more to play games with the process but I cannot recall an instance where anyone said they were for or against a local position because that position was supported by Republicans or Democrats. The divisions among locals generally fall between how individuals feel about growth and development but the issues are complex and today's ally may be tomorrow's opponent.

Perfectly stated. If we can become a Charter County and have Non Partisan elections it ends the "game playing" with the process. It removes the power pedals from the hands of those few who always seem to be pushing them.