Story posted Friday, October 16, 2009
Change Election Process?
Village Considers Referendum Over Use Of Primaries
By RICHARD MAYER Assistant Managing Editor
Mt. Prospect trustees will be presented Tuesday (Oct. 20) with an ordinance calling for a referendum to be placed on this February's ballot asking residents if village elections should remain non-partisan while eliminating primary elections.
The question is tentatively planned to read:
"Should the Village of Mt. Prospect continue its non-partisan system of electing its mayor and trustees, but use a nominating signature requirement equal to 1% of the number of registered voters in the Village of Mt. Prospect and no primary election would be required?"
The consensus among trustees at this past Tuesday night's Committee of the Whole meeting was that they want to make sure the referendum question is clear enough for voters.
Features of the proposed election system include:
* Elections remaining non-partisan with each candidate running as an individual.
* No primary election.
* Filing dates for candidates will track requirements for general elections.
* The number of signatures required for ballot eligibility will be 1% of registered voters in the village. Based on 2009 voter registration data, that would total 300 signatures.
If trustees decide not to hold a referendum, the election process in the village will reflect the state board model. The state board model is non-partisan, has potential for a primary election depending on the number of candidates, and filing periods coincide with primary election requirements. Also, the number of required petition signatures would be 1% of those who voted in the 2009 mayoral election, or approximately 45 signatures.
"Asking more people to get involved doesn't make a big difference in the quality of the person coming to the board," said Trustee Steven Polit.
"This is not about the quality of candidates but the quality of commitment," said Trustee Paul Hoefert. "Forty-five signatures I can get in two hours but 300 signatures takes a bit of work. This way, it takes the causal candidate away from the process."Trustee Arlene Juracek said she is not in favor of a referendum. She also said the village should follow the state model but remain non-partisan. If the board leans toward a referendum, the ordinance needs to be passed by Nov. 30 so it can be filed with the county clerk and appear on the Feb. 2, 2010 primary ballot. If residents vote in favor of the referendum question, the new system would go into effect for the April 2011 consolidated election.
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