Next Week, Voters Decide Manchester's Municipal Election Date

Next week, Manchester voters will settle a long-debated issue — should the township move its municipal elections from May to November?

When the polls open on Nov. 8, residents will have 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.

Those in favor of the change say that it will save the township $50,000 and get more residents to vote for local leaders since turnout is generally higher for general elections. Mayor Michael Fressola that the amount is closer to $40,000, a cost that "does not translate into a lot of money per household."

Those opposed fear that the change could usher in the return of , something Manchester residents voted to excise 20 years ago following the theft of millions of township dollars by Joe Portash and other administrators.

The wording and intent of the question are clear: Manchester if the change is approved by voters.

But some, such as Council President Craig Wallis, fear that holding a nonpartisan vote on the same day as the general election could diminish the importance of voting for Manchester's local leaders and invite influence from political groups.

"If we move it to November, it's going to bring the parties in," he said. 

Wallis said that he prefers not having a political label and, though the wording of the proposed ordinance will continue to afford Manchester officials that status, he still fears that a November vote could bring outside influences.

"I don't have a party to answer to," Wallis said. "I don't need somebody to tell me what to do. We don't get pressure from someone to do something."

Those in favor of the change also argue that it will encourage greater voter participation in municipal votes since more generally come out to vote in November.

Manchester has 31,471 registered voters, according to records provided by township clerk Sabina Skibo. Of those voters, in 2010, 10,091 came to the polls last May to vote in the municipal election, while 14,976 voted in the general election. 

Some in the council, such as Wallis, have suggested that the township may be able to one day combine the municipal election with the school election, which had a turnout of 6,540 voters in April.

This way, they suggest, Manchester can still realize savings by holding one election while keeping the municipal vote separated from the general election. But the state legislation needed to make that move has not been passed.

If enacted, Manchester would be required by law to hold November municipal elections for 10 years before the date could again be changed, the council has said. 

The terms of the mayor and council would be extended by six months, from July 1 to Jan. 1.