What's going on, Albuquerque?

40% or 50% (or six of one half a dozen of the other) ?

Out of the blue (at least to me since I admittedly don't follow much local news unless it has to do with the arts, or my neighborhood) I received a ballot in the mail, for a Mail In only Special Election (how much did this thing cost tax payers anyway? didn't we just vote the other day??) Anyway, the question is:

Shall the City of Albuquerque change the election process for Mayor and City Council currently contained in the City of Albuquerque City Charter?

The amendment modifies sections 7 and 8 of Article II, Elections, modifying the current election process for mayoral and councilor positions to require 50% rather than the current 40%.

Currently, candidates for Mayor of City Council are elected if they receive the largest number of votes cast for the office and at least 40% of the total number of votes, If no candidate receives 40% of the vote, the City has to hold a runoff election.

Petitioners propose increasing the 40% of the vote requirement to 50% of the vote.

Part of me thinks this is a bad idea... but it's just feeling. Would that mean more runoff elections? Can we afford that? Does the current system keep people out? or keep the old guard in?

Anyone have any thoughts on this? Pro or con?

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Permalink Reply by Karmic Echo on February 19, 2013 at 9:34am

Mail-ins are definitely cheaper. And I wonder if turnout doesn't bump up compared to using polling stations, where the concern (and reality) is that it's easy for minority interests to dominate the debate and turnout in small, odd elections.