Entry 73 of 365
By Confounded in Christiansburg On April 12, 2008 at 2:22 PM
As previously reported, two candidate forums for Christiansburg Town Council have been held so far.  The first was held on April 5th and the second was held on April 10th.  All six candidates were in attendance at both forums.

One of the questions asked on April 10 was essentially "How do you feel about moving Town Council elections to November?"

This question probably came up for current Christiansburg candidates due to two reasons.  First, this issue was recently addressed in neighboring Blacksburg between August 2007 and January 2008.  Second, Councilman Huppert broached the subject with his Christiansburg peers this January. 

In Blacksburg, a resolution suggesting a change for town council elections from May to November in even numbered years (2008, 2010, etc.), was presented on August 28, 2007.  Response was this first reading for a change in the town's charter and code hadn't been properly vetted by the public.  Mayor Rordam held a subsequent informational meeting at the Blacksburg Library on October 30.  By then a counter movement was forming with the position that if such a change were to be made, it would be better to have these elections on odd-numbered years (2009, 2011, etc.).  A petition for voter signatures was also underway to have this topic placed on the ballot in the form of a referendum.  

A public hearing on this matter was held in Blacksburg on November 13, and citizen comments ranged from even-numbered years council races being negatively impacted due to national election concerns (focus on the next president, campaign fund raising, or partisan politics), to the pluses of increasing voter turn out, eliminating confusion over polling locations, and cost savings.  

At its December 11 regular meeting, Ordinance 1460 amending town elections from May to November of even-numbered years was tabled.  New ordinance 1468 was given a first reading for moving elections from May to November of odd-numbered years, and a public hearing was scheduled for January 8, 2008.

On January 8, the second reading of this policy change and a public hearing were conducted.  No residents spoke this time, and Blacksburg Town Council subsequently adopted this change and related amendment to its town charter.  It was noted that of the 229 independent cities or towns within the Commonwealth, only 16 others had already made such a change.  Preliminary data showed such a change did seem to contribute to increasing voter turn-out, while also possibly diluting special interest or advocacy group influence.

On Jan. 15, Councilman Huppert mentioned Blacksburg's process during a Christiansburg Town Council Meeting.  Councilman Canada supported the referendum and public input concept, while Councilman Barber said he saw no reason to discuss the matter further.  Councilman Stipes indicated he had seen a comprehensive presentation on the matter during a Blacksburg meeting.  Mayor Ballengee stated he had recently met with Mayor Rordam and discussed the topic.  The Mayor referred the matter to the council's attorney to research and provide a report on what would be involved in keeping it the same or changing this date.  

Note that Christiansburg now has over 13,000 registered voters, yet town elections have historically been decided by less than 10% of its residents (<1300 ballots).

Christiansburg town council candidate responses to the question  "How do you feel about moving Town Council elections to November?" will be published tomorrow.