Pierson Town Council to put referendum back on the ballot

Four-year terms, even-year elections

By Jennifer Horton
BEACON STAFF WRITER

posted Sep 4, 2009 - 8:40:16am

Last year, Pierson voters said "no" to changing their city's election schedule and extending the terms of Town Council members.

But, they said no by a slim margin of only about 20 votes.

Town Council members speculated the language wasn't very clear on the original referendum, so they decided to put the question on the ballot again this year, with clearer language.

Vice Mayor Bill Carter said bad writing sometimes makes voters unsure whether they are saying "yes" or "no" on a ballot question.

"I'd like to see it put back on," Carter said. "Basically, it was to save money."

Town Clerk Debbie Bass agreed that was the biggest reason to change elections.

The Volusia County Department of Elections has encouraged cities to have their elections at the same time as state and federal elections. That way, cities don't have to set up polling places themselves; they can piggyback on the elections already scheduled by the county.

Setting up a local polling place and election can cost $5,000.

Another argument for piggybacking elections is the chance more voters would take part.

"I think you would have more turnout if you had it in even-numbered years," Bass said.

Arguments against piggybacking municipal elections include: Small races may get lost in the noise of state and presidential campaigns; and voters who show up only for presidential elections every four years might not be familiar with the candidates in local elections.

Changing the election schedule also will mean longer terms for some Town Council members already in office. Currently, council members serve two-year terms. Because the seats are staggered, there are elections every year.

The referendum would make all of Pierson's municipal elections coincide with gubernatorial and presidential elections, in even-numbered years, every two years.

The proposed referendum will go before the Pierson Town Council for first reading Sept. 8 and second reading Sept. 22. If the council votes to put the question to voters, the referendum will be submitted to Supervisor of Elections Ann McFall Sept. 23, and would appear on the Nov. 3 ballot.

The referendum will be one question with two parts: Do the citizens of Pierson want to extend council terms to four years, and do they want to have elections only in even-numbered years?

Bass said the town may place information about the referendum on water bills, and may advise voters of the potential cost-savings.

There is no primary election in Pierson this year, but there will be winner-take-all votes Nov. 3 for two council seats, and, if it is approved by the Town Council, this referendum will also be on the ballot.

For more information, call Pierson Town Hall at (386) 749-2661.

— jen@beacononlinenews.com

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