Now that we survived one endless election cycle, let's see a show of hands for those looking forward to the next election, March 2017. Get ready folks; more road signs, mailers, Robo calls, and prancing politicians visible everywhere. Who enjoys voting in March? The weather is typically dreadful. Freezing wind and rain does wonders to encourage people to vote.
In 2012, while on Council I pleaded with the Chattanooga City Council to pass a charter amendment which would have allowed citizens to vote on changing the dates of city elections. If approved by voters, this change would have allowed city elections (council and mayor) to be combined with another regularly occurring election. The Council voted 7-2 against combining. Every other city in Hamilton County, (except Collegedale), has combined municipal elections with state or federal elections. What do those elected officials know that the Chattanooga's City Council fails to understand?
Combining elections would save money. If Chattanooga combined its election with the federal or state election cycle, taxpayers could avoid paying the Hamilton County Election Commission huge fees to run a totally separate election. The cost would be shared. The same election staff runs a combined election.
Last week City Council politicians preened like peacocks to let you know they were fighting for nine early voting stations to serve you. Folks, they aren't serving you well, they are serving you a huge bill with little potential upside. The cost to run a polling station is $15,000 per location. For years the city has paid for two to three early voting stations. This year Councilman Chris Anderson, and all of his colleagues (except Councilman Chip Henderson), voted for nine early voting stations. Do the math; $15,000 x 9 district zones equals $135,000. Of course, on election day all the neighborhood polling stations will obviously be open also. If the same stations are requested for run-off elections, you might conceivably double the expense.
How many times do you want go to the polls? Combining elections would save citizen time. Having separate city and federal elections, might require good citizens to visit the polls four times in four months, if there are run-off races.
Let's review: Councilman Anderson wants nine early voting sites and there are nine districts. Three city council races have candidates running unopposed. So, explain the big push to open stations to accommodate the throng of voters for unopposed candidates.
Anderson argues that Chattanooga is growing and we need early voting to avoid overcrowding and lines on election day. City voter turnout is always terribly low for a good reason. News Flash: people have election burn out. They aren't standing outside a polling station for a city election in long lines. They aren't standing in line inside the polls either. Wake up! They are at work trying to make enough money to pay their property tax bill before the due date passes. Or, they are at home searching for a T.V. channel that does not have a talking head yapping about the last election.
If this mayor and City Council truly cares about voter turnout, they should amend the city charter to let it happen. Presidential elections have the highest voter turnouts. Had the city election day been changed, in 2012, to coincide with the presidential election, city turnout would improve. But, no! That realization would require our local leaders to reach deep down and locate that infinitesimal portion of common sense that isn't exercised nearly enough.
Few heard the debate about moving the election in 2012. For those of you who missed the nonsensical discussions, here are few of the ludicrous reasons given for voting no.
1. Combining the dates for elections was the wrong backdoor approach to metro government.
Translation: I really don't know what we are talking about today, but think I need to say something.
2. "The city has unique issues and because of the uniqueness of this election, cold weather should not enter into the reasoning."
Translation: We are special. Voter comfort should not enter into our decision making. Note: The person who said this is running for re-election again.
3. This might save money, but we spend money on all kinds of things. "Saving money is not where we want to go."
Translation: I'm not sure how much we would save, but I really don't care, because we are always spending money on all kinds of things.
4. Combining our city election with the federal election would confuse voters. Translation: Chattanooga voters are too simple minded to vote for state, federal and city candidates on the same day.
5. When lots of people run for office at the same time, bill board space and campaign supplies become more expensive.
Translation: My personal campaign expenses are more important that saving tax dollars. Note: Also spoken by a candidate running for re-election again.
Bottom line: Taxpayer expense doesn't matter. Your time doesn't matter. Your comfort doesn't matter. Your vote matters, but you.....not so much. Before you select a candidate this time, ask them where they stand on combining elections.
Deborah Scott
Chattanooga