Broken system supports politics over competence

I wanted to take an opportunity before the upcoming Public Hearing on Monday, April 2, to clarify some key points on my referral to eliminate political party affiliation from election ballots. Unfortunately, political party is the single most important voting cue in local elections and that isn’t right. Voters should differentiate between candidates based on ideas and ideals not party affiliation and candidates should be able to provide that information to the voter. We should be electing the best person for the office. Competence over Politics.

Currently, more than 75 percent of municipalities use ballots without party affiliation for local candidates. Non-Partisan ballots do not take away the political parties ability to organize; it simply takes the party affiliation off the ballot. The people running for office still can be endorsed by a party, they can still receive manpower and monetary support, and they can still be their party’s preferred choice. The onus is placed on the candidates and the voters to make greater efforts to disperse and collect information.

Through the course of this non-partisan ballot discussion, it was revealed that neither the Westbrook City Charter nor city ordinances clearly identify how a citizen gets onto a ballot as a candidate for local office in Westbrook. We do, however, have an ordinance that requires the chief of police to collect 25 cents to register my bicycle each year.

To address this ballot concern, I am hoping my fellow councilors will support language either through a city ordinance or the city charter that allows citizens to have their names placed on election ballots without party affiliation by one of two methods:

A) Receive their party’s nomination through the current caucus systems or;

B) Obtain 50 names on a petition from the ward or wards they hope to represent.

I strongly believe these two modifications will afford the community a wider variety of competent candidates. Whether fellow councilors desire to recognize it or not the truth is that a caucus structure can be a daunting experience for political novices.

We are not eliminating the current caucus system. We are simply providing an additional means to get on the ballot. Incidentally, going out into the community to get 50 signatures for a petition is not a simple task.

During our most recent Committee of the Whole meeting there was modest support for both ideas. Several times, including from the mayor himself, I heard, “if ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

Well, it is broke. In fact, we don’t even have specific charter language to speak to how candidate’s names get placed on ballots. Councilors were told we have a file at the City Clerk’s Office that provides direction on how to get on a ballot. This is a file that many of us political veterans didn’t know even existed until last week.

I urge you to get involved and voice your support for competence over politics by contacting via phone or e-mail your elected officials. A complete list can be found on the city’s Web site.

Sign In: