2008.10.30
Put election change on the ballot in Christiansburg
Today we're writing an editorial for the Sunday NRV Current about a citizen-led petition drive in Christiansburg. If they can gather enough signatures, voters in a future election will decide if the town should hold its council elections in November. The council has been reluctant to act on this idea. Christiansburg residents have a chance to decide their own future with this ballot.
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There are several reasons (after months of evaluation) why allowing voters to decide this matter is important.
1) It encourages more people to become involved in local government and in voting.
2) It makes the voting process simpler because you do not have to remember different places to vote for different elections.
3) It will save the Town money over the long haul that can be used for other purposes (like paying for the Aquatic Center).
4) It is the right of citizens to decide when they want to vote.
The petition is not to move the election date, it is to provide the opportunity for voters to decide when they wish to have local elections held. The petition is the device by which people have the right to put this issue forth to the public and let voting citizens make the decision of whether to leave elections when they are or to move them to November. It was specifically set up to be sure the elections (if moved) do not occur at the same time as presidential elections. Rather, they would coincide with state and county level voting which has a much more direct effect on local issues.
Some people worry that this will bring party politics into the local election process. I do not believe this is so. I have yet to meet a pothole that cared what party got it fixed. We, as citizens, know the individuals who are dealing with issues (Town Council members) and we know how effectively they are dealing with those issues that most affect us. That will be the determining factor in local elections, not to what political party someone belongs.
Ultimately, the petition is simply a device to insure that it is the citizens who make the decision of when to hold Christiansburg elections and whether or not saving money and convenience are important enough issues to do so. LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE! And, then, let us join together to support that decision (whatever it is) by showing up to vote each and every time we have the opportunity.
Comment by Carol Lindstrom — October 31, 2008 @ 12:34 pm