November elections; filing deadlines, and requirements for certain city and town officials. (HB328)
Introduced By
Del. Chris Saxman (R-Staunton)
Progress
✓ |
Introduced |
✗ |
Passed Committee |
☐ |
Passed House |
☐ |
Passed Senate |
☐ |
Signed by Governor |
☐ |
Became Law |
Description
November elections for mayors, councils, and elected school boards of cities and towns; related elections, filing deadlines, and requirements. Provides that all elections for city and town mayors, councils, and elected school boards will be held at the November general election. The bill modifies current law, which gives cities and towns an option whether to elect governing bodies and school boards in May or November. These elections may be held in November in even-numbered or odd-numbered years. Read the Bill »
Outcome
Bill Has Failed
History
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 01/04/2008 | Committee |
| 01/04/2008 | Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/09/08 087825712 |
| 01/04/2008 | Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections |
| 01/11/2008 | Impact statement from DPB (HB328) |
| 01/11/2008 | Assigned P & E sub: Elections |
| 02/12/2008 | Left in Privileges and Elections |
Comments
Although Delegate Saxman claims to be opposed to "big government," that's exactly what this bill is. It would deny to local jurisdictions our right to choose the time and environment of our local elections. Delegate Saxman supposedly represents Staunton. So he's well aware that, when Staunton's City Council considered a proposal a few months ago to move our city council and school board elections to November, the City Council voted by 4 to 2 to keep our elections in May.
Staunton now has non-partisan elections, in May, in which LOCAL issues are the sole focus of our voters. Local issues would be short-changed were our elections to be moved to November.
This bill should die. Whatever Delegate Saxman's real agenda is, the fact is that his bill would be yet another removal to Richmond of decisions which should be made locally.
LEAVE THE ELECTION DATES AS IS. WHY SNEAK AROUND TRYING TO CHANGE THINGS BEHIND THE BACK OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS....?
Sneaking? It's a bill in the General Assembly. You're reading about here. This is the very opposite of sneaking.
That Del. Saxman is so indifferent to his constituents and the fact that our City Council already voted to KEEP our non-partisan elections in May, speaks volumes regarding his sensitivity to the people of Staunton and THEIR wishes!
It isn't sneaking but it is pretty arrogant to bring this bill forward in direct contradiction to the expressed wishes of the elected city council of Staunton.