Thursday, January 19, 2012

Should the City Move Election Day?

As far back as I can remember, elections have been held in May in League City. However, there is a recommendation by the League City Charter Review Committee to move the city election to the November ballot with other state and federal elections.

A recent state law, and language in the City Charter, would now allow the City Council to move election day by ordinance. This means that this years election could be moved to the November ballot if City Council approves a proposed ordinance during the month of January.

If approved, citizens of League City would be able to vote at any Galveston County election site. The efficiencies of combining our municipal election with federal, state and county elections could save tax payers thousands of dollars per election as well as increasing voter participation by making it much more convenient and easy for voters to participate. If approved, voters would no longer face the frustration of going from election site to election site trying to find their correct voting location.

There are some Council persons who don't support this measure and have publicly stated their apprehension about this proposed change. Councilmen Becker and O'Keeffe went on the record during yesterdays Council workshop with the Charter Review Committee saying that they were not certain they would be supporting this ordinance to change the municipal election from May to November.

Mr. Becker said that he was not certain that uninformed voters would be a benefit to the election process in League City. Mr. Becker said that he was of the opinion that the current approximately 2000 voters were informed on the issues, but if 18,000 voters were to participate, he was not certain they would be educated on the issues that surround an election. I am anxious to hear what your thoughts are on this issue.