What is a Nonpartisan Election?
A nonpartisan ‘basis’ election, as defined by state law, is an election wherein only the top two overall vote-getters in the primary (as opposed to the top vote-getters from each party) advance to the general election, with no party designations printed on the ballot.
1Nonpartisan elections conceal the party affiliations of the candidates, restrict choices, limit accountability and weaken the voice of the people. Our random surveys show that more than 93% of the voters said they had virtually "no clue" who they voted for in various municipal, judicial and district elections.
The current statute, M.S. 204D, governs elections for all offices designated nonpartisan, except as expressly provided by law.
The word “nonpartisan” is inherently deceptive because it does not mean that candidates must be nonpartisan, it refers only to the election format.
Nonpartisan elections have
two fundamental flaws that, by definition, disenfranchise voters:1. They permit candidates to seek and receive political party support (endorsements and contributions), but deprive voters of any such knowledge on the ballot:
Ø
This impairs the voter’s ability to cast an informed, meaningful vote! (see 2001 ballot)
Ø
There is NO JUSTIFICATION for failing to disclose the party designations of the candidates ON THE BALLOT!Candidates who do not seek or receive political party support still have party affiliations and few, if any, can legitimately deny being a "member" of a political party. (see MN Statute 200.02, subd.17)
2. They restrict choices and fail to guarantee that more than one political party can be represented in the general election:
Ø Partisan elections provide such a guarantee by ensuring that each political party (which puts forth a candidate in the primary), will be represented in the general election, along with each Independent!
Ø By limiting the general election to just the top two (overall) vote-getters, nonpartisan elections often end up with two candidates from the same party; (see St. Paul and Minneapolis ballots)
A partisan format helps guarantee a healthier diversity of viewpoints and stronger, more transparent elections. There is NO JUSTIFICATION for restricting choices and denying our citizens these same benefits!
In addition to the effects resulting from the primary arguments, nonpartisan elections adversely effect the voters and the election process in several more ways: Nonpartisan 'basis' elections...
1. - are against the will of the people. Our surveys,
2 interviews and signature gathering efforts clearly show that voters overwhelmingly favor the opportunity to identify the candidates by party affiliation;2. - stifle debate. This is most significant in the primaries where meaningful, inclusive debate is nonexistent and the front-runners are selected by partisan media staffers rather than by the voters;
3. - suppress election turnout, as voters are alienated from the candidates and the important issues;
4. - deter many qualified candidates who have virtually no chance of being one of the top two candidates who advance to the general election;
5. - limit accountability, as those elected to nonpartisan offices can simply deny any relationships to a political party or philosophy when convenient (or necessary);
6. - increase the chance that a candidate with an undefined or questionable agenda can "hide in the pack" and "sneak" to victory. (This is also true with school board
3 elections where multiple candidates are elected, almost blindly,4 in the primary and the general election.)Clearly, nonpartisan 'basis' elections were formed with reckless disregard for the rights of the citizens, and serve only to confuse and mislead voters. This breach the voters' franchise rights violates the Minnesota Bill of Rights. (see DISENFRANCHISE)
The Minnesota Voters Alliance is also preparing to challenge the constitutionality of the state law governing nonpartisan elections in addition to its efforts to amend the St. Paul City Charter.
Price to pay -
Partisan politics is a product of reality in a free society and exists in all levels of government. It cannot simply be wished away. As the founders so eloquently described, there is a price to pay for the denial of this reality, and unfortunately, the voters have been paying that price. (see History)
The ill-conceived notion that LOCAL politicians do not get involved with partisan politics is based more on ignorance, irrational optimism and personal agendas, than on reality. You don't have to look far to realize that local politicians are just as entrenched in partisan politics as they are at any other level of government.
All candidates have political leanings or philosophies whether they announce them or not. We strongly believe that it is better that the voters have this knowledge rather than be kept in the dark. The political party system offers VOTERS the most practical mechanism (to date) to best identify candidates and cast an informed vote given the vast array of political philosophies, views and agendas.
Food for thought - If "political parties" aren't that important, then why have them at all?
Our proposed reform strengthens the voice of the people! (see Plan)
1The City of Minneapolis adopted nonpartisan ‘basis’ elections in 1983 that actually require party designations on the ballot. (see History)
2We asked 100 St. Paul voters at the 2005 Ramsey County Fair WHAT THEY FELT was THE MOST IMPORTANT piece of information about a candidate running for elective office. 94 of those surveyed responded, without hesitation, "their party designation." YET, this invaluable information is NOT DISCLOSED on the ballot???
3The elections for school board are governed by state law and do not fall under the City Charter.
4In our second survey at the Ramsey County Fair, we asked the same voters to identify, by name, one or more of the current St. Paul School Board members (or County Commissioners). Sadly, only FIVE of our respondents could identify ANY of these elected officials, which is indicative of a disenfranchised electorate and the need to divide "At-Large" seats into smaller, more practical voting districts.
"In every free
and
deliberating society, there
must, from the nature of
man, be opposite parties,
and violent dissensions and
discords."
"According
to some,
transparency
is only good
for
corporate
board-rooms,
well, it
works pretty
well for the
political
ones too.
The
MN
Voters
Alliance
lets us see
who we're
really
voting for."