Why would anyone oppose nonpartisan elections? How will
the politicians attempt to justify their opposition?
You might find it amusing that, where hearings have been
held on the issue of nonpartisan elections, 80% testify
in support of nonpartisan elections. Many of the 20%
who testify in opposition of nonpartisanship are elected
officials. Why?
The answer can be found in the psyche of the political
boss and the political machine strategy to control the
outcome of elections.
The percentage of residents who register to vote but
prefer not to designate party membership is rapidly
increasing. In Berwyn for instance, there are about
25,000 registered voters. In the hot election contest
of April 2005, only 40% went to the polls. These people
have no interest in partisan politics. Because they
choose not to participate in a partisan primary, they
have no influence on who will appear on the ballot.
The desire not to declare party loyalty is resulting in
a continuing and rapid decline of voter participation in
the primary election process and in municipal
elections. This leaves the political party cliques and
the big money crowd in charge of the election process.
It is a process where party bosses seek to stifle
competition and exact patronage in exchange for their
support of "cooperative candidates".
Do you really believe that those who contribute hundreds
and thousands of dollars to a political campaign have
your best interests in mind? Or their own?
The political machines can crank out what their
candidates need to overcome the overly burdensome
process of getting on the ballot and staying on the
ballot in the face of fierce litigation over petitions.
This political warfare is costly and exclusionary. The
winner always has many “political debts” to payoff.
Like opposition to professionally managed government,
the only issue of concern to opponents of nonpartisan
elections is political control. If they can limit your
choice to candidates who kiss the ring of the political
boss, the victor is always among the politically
connected and plays by their rules.
There is no democracy in excluding thousands of voters
from participating in local elections.
Core principals need to be developed to guide us to a
more effective democracy. These principals should
include: Increasing access for voters and prospective
candidates, encouraging the participation of nonpartisan
groups in the election process who now choose not to
participate and demanding greater government
accountability.
Research confirms that when voters are not required to
declare allegiance to one party or another, voter
turnout and participation increases.
One small step for man and one giant step for Berwyn
residents will be to adopt nonpartisanship as a
political way of life.
Respectfully
Joel Erickson
