Story posted Friday, January 29, 2010
Mayor Wilks: 'I Will Be Voting Yes'
Editor, Journal:
At the Feb. 2 election, Mt. Prospect voters will decide what type of elections they want. It is a complex subject, but I voted to place the question on the ballot because voters should decide their own election rules. Historically Mt. Prospect held non-partisan elections, without primaries, and elected mayors and trustees at consolidated elections.
Before a candidate's name goes on the ballot, he/she must circulate and submit signatures of registered voters on petitions. The State Board of Election always provided petitions, which fit Mt. Prospect's elections.
In preparation for last year's 2009 Consolidated Election, without warning, the administrators at the State Board of Elections no longer published those petitions. Defying logic, they determined if Mt. Prospect is non-partisan, our petitions must provide for a Primary prior to the Consolidated Election.
The number of petition signatures needed for each type of election also is different. Elections with primaries require fewer names. This last election, about 80 valid signatures got us on the ballot. In the past I submitted between 300 and 500 valid signatures, which varied based on a percent of votes cast in a previous election. The question on the ballot is the following: "Should the Village of Mt. Prospect continue its non-partisan system of electing its mayor and trustees; but use a nominating signature requirement that is equal to at least 1% of the number of registered voters in the Village of Mt. Prospect and require no primary election?"
A "yes" vote preserves a higher petition signature requirement. It will eliminate a Primary Election for us. Our Mt. Prospect village clerk will supply our petitions.
A "no" vote means fewer signatures are needed on petitions. A Primary Election must be held if five or more file for an office. The State Board of Elections will provide petitions.
I will be voting "yes". Our past system has served us for decades. In addition, allowing our village clerk to provide petitions gives us local control and removes us from the whims of the State Board of Elections.
Irvana Wilks, Mt. Prospect Mayor
Speak Out!
Comments are edited first by Journal staff before running in print and appearing online.