2005-03-10 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. O'Brien said that the wards would have to be redrawn every ten years following the census. Dr. Brown asked if the Task Force found any evidence that localities with ward systems have better voter turn outs than those with at-large systems. Mr. O'Brien said evidence was found going in both directions. He said there were no available writings on this in Virginia. Dr. Brown said that he did some research on his own about elections and turnout. He said one finding was most interesting and dramatic in Lynchburg which has a mixed ward and at-large system. He said elections were held in two years for all the ward candidates which had 11% and 14% voter turnout; another year the election for at-large candidates had a 20% voter turnout. He said his concern is that he would hate to make a change and have the voter turnout go down. Mr. David Repass, a member of the Task Force, said that they found that there was no competition and lower turnout in some ward systems. Dr. Brown said he also looked at five cities that had ward systems and found that there was at least one uncontested seat in each one of their elections. Mr. O'Brien said that a lot of concern was expressed about having non- competitive elections because we do not have a large population to drawn from. Mr. Lynch said this issue is a non-starter to him. He said he sees disadvantages and no advantages except to incumbents. Ms. Hamilton said that what the public is after is a better connection with government and their Councilors. She said the notion of"what I need is a Councilor like me to better represent me" does not always jive with who will be the best candidates. She said she also questions the notion that somehow geography determines whether someone is a good representative. She noted that Mr. Schilling lives in the Walker precinct, but has support in Belmont and other blue collar neighborhoods. She said she feels it is important to talk to others who do not look like her or live in her neighborhood. She said that coming from a political family, she saw both sides to this issue. She also expressed concern about created a two-tiered system where some candidates run for ward seats and some at-large. She said that unless there is some way to address that inequality she cannot support a mixed ward and at-large system. She said some time it is hard enough to get five candidates to run, and feels one question is do we want someone chosen because of geography or because they are the best candidate. Mr. Schilling said Ms. Hamilton makes good points. He said that if he was elected from a ward he would never preclude himself from talking to others not in his ward. He said we appoint the School Board by mixed ward and at-large and there must have been a good reason to do this. He said if it is good for one it should be good for the other. He said he thinks this is an idea whose time will come to Charlottesville. He said what matters ultimately is what the federal government says is fair based on the Voting Rights Act. He said he sees there is no need to discuss this further, but appreciates Council's willingness to discuss it. Mr. Lynch said he also talks with others on a regular basis regardless of their party affiliation. Mr. Caravati thanked the Task Force for studying the issues. He said he remains open to any change that will help. The majority of Council did not support moving forward or studying further the idea of a mixed ward and at-large elections. The meeting was adjourned.