Politics & Government

Election Date Change Referendum Set for November

Township council passes ordinance that will pose question to voters during November general election

Manchester residents will decide whether they want municipal elections held in May or November now that the passed on Monday an ordinance that will pose the question to voters this fall.

The referendum, to be asked during the Nov. 8, 2011, general election, will give residents the opportunity to answer the following question:

This proposed ordinance would change the municipal elections, currently held the second Tuesday in May, to the general election date, held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November; while retaining a nonpartisan form of government, meaning the candidates will not be an affiliate of any political party.

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One resident who backed the change effort was Richard Work, first vice president of the Manchester Regular Republican Club. Work spoke during June 27 meeting's public comment portion to thank the council for passing the ordinance.

"I think it's not only going to benefit you and me but all of Manchester," he said.

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Work complimented the council for wording the ordinance to say that the change would keep the election nonpartisan.

Council president Craig Wallis said that he "appreciated" that Work brought the issue to the council's attention and said that letting the public vote on a referendum is the most fair way to settle the issue.

"I think it should be the residents that make that decision," he said. "I would prefer if the state let us put our municipal elections together, but I don't think the state is going to move that way."

Though some council members expressed concern with the idea of moving municipal elections from May to November, it appeared as though they would .

"We'll put it out to the people, and I think that's where it should be," said council president Craig Wallis during the June 13 meeting. "It should be up to the public to be able to say, 'this is what we want out of our government.' "

The change, which has been supported by Work and his club, could save the township about $50,000 and increase participation in municipal votes, some argue. 

But others, such as Mayor Michael Fressola, are concerned that holding a nonpartisan local election in November could , something Manchester residents voted to excise 20 years ago following the theft of millions of township dollars by Joe Portash and other administrators.

According to council member Kenneth Vanderziel, a similar referendum was defeated by residents in 1999. 

If passed by voters, the terms of the mayor and council members would be extended from July 1 to January 1.


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