Columbia city elections could be headed for the fall. City Council voting 5 to 1 in favor of moving the elections from April to November, but only in odd-numbered years.
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COLUMBIA (WACH) -- Columbia city elections could be headed for the fall. City Council voting 5 to 1 in favor of moving the elections from April to November, but only in odd-numbered years.
Supporters say keeping elections in April in even-numbered years will eliminate the political partisanship that comes with state and national elections.
Opponents say having the city elections along with presidential elections makes more sense.
“There is a cost saving to moving to the even years,” Columbia voter Alan Roblee said. “We already have the turnout for the election. It's a matter of probably adding another page on the machines. We've probably got 40 to 50 percent turnout.”
Mayor Steve Benjamin does not want to move city elections in even-numbered years to keep them non-partisan.
"I have very serious concerns, great concerns," Mayor Benjamin said. "This council has been able to evade and avoid the partisanship that seems to have reached a fever pitch."
Tuesday's vote does not settle the issue, a second reading will be discussed at the next council meeting later this month.
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