Another Good Idea
We always love hearing from KXEL listeners, whether you agree or disagree with us. One listener called last Friday—and I’m sorry I was not at my desk when you called—to weigh in on my comments last Friday at this time. I suggested that any school district or city that lost a bond issue had to wait two years before proposing substantially the same thing…in the hopes that slimmer, more appropriate measures would come before voters if those proposing the issue knew they could not just keep coming back and coming back, wearing down voters.
The listener left a voice mail suggesting that we should have these special elections in conjunction with November general elections to enhance turnout and better guarantee that the people’s true voice would be heard. Not a bad suggestion, especially since the state moved school board elections from early September, by themselves, to the November general election. Same rationale was used then…why not now?
The reason we have certain special election dates is to limit when elections are held and save resources; for example, some voters in Waterloo were able to elect a city council member and vote on the Hawkeye Community College bond referendum. Better to combine those in a single election than have the cost of two.
But where I voted in Bremer County, it was a quick in-and-out…vote yes or no on the Hawkeye bond and you’re done. I see why some folks probably didn’t bother, if there was only a single question on the ballot.
How about a happy medium…one single date for special elections, in April…and everything else in November. That cuts down on the number of special election date options, and combined with the limitation on when you can bother voters again if you lose, might help save money and increase voter turnout.
Thanks to the listener for the suggestion…but like so many things, it makes too much sense to be adopted. Can’t hurt to try, however.
