Where do Council Candidates Stand on Moving City Elections?

We are now just one month out from the Nov. 7 East Lansing City Council election and voting has already begun via absentee ballot. 

To help voters get to know the eight candidates better, ELi sent each individual three short-answer questions on topics readers have expressed an interest in. Additionally, ELi asked each candidate if they would be voting “yes” or “no” on each of the three ballot initiatives. We will be running candidate responses in a series of four stories. Order of candidate short-answer responses was determined by a random drawing of names.

In other pre-Nov. 7 coverage, ELi provided profiles of each candidate along with coverage of the Sept. 14  League of Women Voters of Lansing Area candidates forum . The eight candidates vying for the three open Council seats are: Erik Altmann, Dan Bollman, Noel Garcia, Rebecca Kasen, Mark Meadows, Joshua Ramirez-Roberts, Kerry Ebersole Singh and Christopher Wardell. 

Question 1: Do you support moving city elections from odd years to even? Why?

Mark Meadows

“No, I do not support that move. While the move may produce more votes in the election, it means that the City Council election will be on a crowded ballot and at the bottom of the ballot. In the odd year, the race is featured and the public is better informed about the candidates and any issues . But, if elected, I would like to see the Council establish a Charter Review Committee to manage a public process reviewing the entire Charter. The move to even years should be part of that review.”

Joshua Ramirez-Roberts

“I strongly opposed the initiative to shift city elections to even numbered years before it was found to be ill conceived by Governor Whitmer and I will continue to do so in the aftermath. Our current process of holding elections on odd-numbered years allows for the city election to receive sole focus and to not become lost amidst a sea of partisan campaigns. By putting city issues front and center we are able to rely upon a more well informed voting public who are dedicated to and passionate about city issues. My fear is that holding council elections along with a myriad of general season campaigns would lead to the insertion of partisan divisions that do not currently exist within council campaigns and distract from important city issues whilst further separating us as a community.”

Kerry Ebersole Singh

“No, I do not support moving elections to even years.  While voter turnout is higher during even-year elections, there is a large dropoff from folks that vote at the top of the ticket to the bottom offices and issues.  Candidates will need to raise more money to break through the communications from top of the ticket AND connect with larger amounts of voters.”

Erik Altmann

“I oppose moving City Council elections from odd years to even years. In even years, advocacy from state and federal campaigns would drown out local issues. The cost of a City Council campaign would increase dramatically, pricing out candidates of modest means and shifting power to deep-pocketed outside groups like the Chamber of Commerce. None of this is good for governance.

There is also nothing to be gained. Voting is easy, especially after recent changes at the state level. People can register online, and if they can’t vote on election day they can vote early or by mail. The City Clerk’s office works hard to engage student voters. The only difference in odd-year versus even-year elections is voter choice, and that’s not something we can legislate.

Local issues are important enough to deserve their own election, especially when it’s basically free because we need a City Clerk’s office in any case.”

Chris Wardell

“No. I like that our city elections occur opposite of other elections as it shines a spotlight on our city, and it allows for voters to have more of a focus on city issues, city council candidates, and charter amendments.”

Dan Bollman

“Like the other proposed Charter Amendments, this proposal has reasonable arguments for and against. The measure would likely result in more Michigan State University student participation in Council elections. However, local governmental races would certainly be overshadowed by national and state issues if the elections occur in the same years. As such – and like the other proposed amendments – I would like to see additional consideration of the impact of this measure.”

Rebecca Kasen

“Yes. This will encourage greater voter participation. I listened to the opposition’s concerns about random votes, expenses, and shifting away from local issues. I have not found data to support their points. Most data I can find suggests that this will only help our democracy.”