Camden Commentary: Hello, people! We've had plurality voting in St. Marys since 1996 (not 2005) under the Brandon regime! Wake up!

Monday, November 9, 2009

Hello, people! We've had plurality voting in St. Marys since 1996 (not 2005) under the Brandon regime! Wake up!

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16 comments:

Pittsoff said...: I don't like Plurality voting...never have. It does not give the true candidate that the majority of the people want. Only the ones that some want. The others split the votes. This election is the perfect example. Plurality voting allows for too many candidates. It clouds the election and confuses many.

Forget this election, where you obviously feel the right candidates won, and Jay, what is your TRUE feeling on Plurality voting?

Whether who I wanted, won or not....I just think it confuses an already confusing process for some, and it allows for those to, for the most part, put in a spoiler to split the votes, and elect a candidate that shouldn't win in the first place.

It can become a "Legally Crooked Process in a Legally Crooked Business"; November 9, 2009 at 12:41 PM
Anonymous said...: Please Jay, do not confuse them with the facts. They hate when the facts get in the way of thier arguments.

Anon #23; November 9, 2009 at 12:52 PM
Anonymous said...: I have seen those documents. Where. Is the documentation from the Attorney General and the Justice Dept.? In 1993 we had a minority voting district and this changed it. I believe the Justice Dept must approve.; November 9, 2009 at 1:18 PM
Jay Moreno said...: Obviously, it was approved. You're telling me about the minority voting district? The late city councilman Raymond Dyal and I were the very plaintiffs inthe lawsuit which led to the quick demise of the minority voting district. Now, do you know what the real motivation was for the Brandon regime's disingenuous minorty distrcit scheme?

Pittsoff: You are correct about putting in ringers to split votes. That was done many a time in St. Marys after 1996, especially by the Brandon machine. However, interestingly enough, that did not happen this last time around. All of the candidates were in it to win it and largely uncoordinated.
I'm not that bothererd by it, but if the majority wants to go back to majority wins, that's okay with me. However, I would only go along if you had a primary to sort 'em out to just two.; November 9, 2009 at 2:42 PM
Anonymous said...: Jay,

If you had a primary to sort each race to just 2, it wouldn't make any difference if the election were by plurality or majority. Besides, since the municipal election cannot be by parties, I don't think we could have a primary. So the only option is runoff elections between the top two in the general election if no candidate wins a majority. Maybe it would be easier to decide the winner by a non-fatal game of rock-paper-scissors.; November 9, 2009 at 3:15 PM
Anonymous said...: Well Sandy Feller sat on his hands and qualified late in the week. If he is going to complain about it know, to bad. It was his choice to run against who he did. To be honest, I was quite suprised he came in 2nd.; November 9, 2009 at 4:45 PM
Jay Moreno said...: Come to think of it you're right. I forgot about the non-partisan nature of the municipal elections.

So, just do it the way we do now, only the winner must win by a margin of at least 50% +1 vote.; November 9, 2009 at 7:09 PM
Anonymous said...: The city would have to foot the bill for each runoff election. I heard that's about 8k. Some believe in 50%+1 but that is based on a two party system. Maybe it is time to have 3 major parties.; November 9, 2009 at 7:58 PM
Anonymous said...: You're right. Sandy did a lot better than I expected. If Roger had not been in the race, Sandy might even have won. That would have made for some interesting city council meetings.

But I do congratulate Sandy on his good showing.; November 9, 2009 at 8:20 PM
Anonymous said...: It is in keeping with current political times. The minority is making the decisions for the majority. It sure as hell is not a mandate and it is a shame that we let out selves here get into this situation. Who would have ever thought a fellow not getting the majority of the votes would be elected in our town? It ain't pretty.; November 10, 2009 at 5:36 PM
Anonymous said...: jay, now honest who is chris bennett? where did he make any knowledge of what he forseen for city. i did not see a sign,ad,or anything on this person.
never attendted anything no fin. report turned in. what would you call that one. only one i seen.
sp; November 11, 2009 at 5:36 PM
Jay Moreno said...: Beats me: I did not vote for him. I did meet him, though. The Saturday afternoon before the election, I had just settled back in my easy chair for an afternoon nap. Cojack and I had both just dozed off when the doorbell rang. I had to get out of the damned easy chair, into my wheelchair, put the dog up, and get to the front door.

Now, mind you, I had yard signs for Deloughey, Weaver, Morrissey, and Post right next to each other on my front lawn. When I opened the door, there stood some big, sweaty, goomer in a faded polo shirt, baggy athletic shorts, and high-end flip-flops. Sticking out his sweaty hand, he said "Hi, I'm Chris Bennett. I see from the signs on your lawn that you will not be voting for me, but, by all means, be sure and vote." I just silently shook my head and closed the door.

I ask you: what in the hell are the chances that a guy with not one but four campaign signs in his lawn would NOT vote?; November 11, 2009 at 6:56 PM
Jay Moreno said...: By the way, how's it going at the bait shop? How's business?; November 11, 2009 at 6:57 PM
Anonymous said...: been great until this week with weather/wind,but made enough on fri./sat. to put next months rent up. but they are killing the trout and redfish. my bro-inlaw took my clients he is doing well with the fishing had 42 trout the other day with 3 people.
one day you down stop by ill show you why the yacht club wanted it.; November 11, 2009 at 8:44 PM
Jay Moreno said...: Glad to hear it's going well. What size are the trout running?; November 12, 2009 at 7:07 AM
Anonymous said...: all his was over 17" biggest was 23; November 12, 2009 at 5:20 PM