Most poll respondents favor moving elections
The Record’s online poll from April 5-19 asked readers whether they think moving municipal elections to November in odd-numbered years would be beneficial.
At its last meeting, the San Marcos City Council held a discussion on potential changes to the city charter — notably, changing municipal elections to November in odd-numbered years.
Mayor Jane Hughson said moving the local elections away from the statewide and national elections would give voters a chance to learn more about each candidate. But in order for local elections to be held in odd-numbered years, the mayor’s term would have to be extended from two years to three in a one-time occurrence to make the transition and council member terms would have to change from their current three-year length to either two years or four years.
City council will have to make a decision on whether to put the potential charter changes on November’s ballot by June, where ultimately the decision will lie in voters’ hands.
The poll asking, “Do you think moving municipal elections to November in odd-numbered years would be beneficial?” received a total of 99 votes, with the majority of votes — 65 percent or 64 votes — going to option “Yes because local candidates will get more notice from voters.” Thirty-five percent of voters chose, “No, we should leave elections and terms as they are in the charter.”
A majority of poll voters think moving municipal elections to November in odd-numbered years would be beneficial because local candidates would get more notice from voters. Every week, the Record gives its readers the opportunity to voice their opinions on different topics. This poll does not, and does not purport to accurately depict public opinion. It is only intended to inspire thought-provoking discussion within the community.
SMDR’s new poll is available online now and asks for readers’ opinions on whether they think allowing farmers in the state to legally grow industrial hemp would be beneficial. It can be voted on now.
