Aiken City Council weighs change to local elections

AIKEN --- Candidates running on party affiliations in city elections might become a thing of the past if the city council passes a referendum asking voters to scrap the current two-party election system.

"When council asked that this be discussed and put on the agenda, the majority felt like this would go ahead and give the opportunity to more people in our community to run for election," City Manager Roger LeDuc said.

The city's election system mirrors the national system -- a primary is held and the Democratic and Republican winners face off in a general election.

The city council would like to change that so anyone who decides to run for office is not required to declare a party affiliation, which eliminates the need for a primary.

"The vast majority of cities in South Carolina have a nonpartisan election," Mr. LeDuc said.

He said local elections are "just about local issues, not about national issues or values that label one party over the other."

On Jan. 28, the council will decide on a first reading whether to pass an ordinance asking registered voters to decide in a special election whether the election system should be changed.

If the ordinance passes, it would be sent to the U.S. Justice Department, which would have 60 days to respond. The city would then hold a special election, if the Justice Department accepts the changes.

The idea might have some opposition, Mr. LeDuc said, acknowledging that some voters have "some very strong sentiment" that the city's election system should maintain party affiliations.

Among those against the change are the chairmen of the local Democratic and Republican parties.

"I'm not thrilled with it," said John Brecht, the chairman of the Aiken County Democratic Party. "I see no real net gain from doing this."

Mr. Brecht said that if the two-party system is eliminated, allowing for the possibility of several candidates in the general election, "it will create a situation where you're going to have runoff elections all the time."

Republican Party Chairman Andy O'Byrne said he believes nonpartisan elections are "against the interest of the party and of the voting citizens we represent."

"The party system works," he said. "There's ample opportunity for somebody to participate and be recognized and elected if they're the best candidate in the eyes of the voters."

Reach Michelle Guffey at (803) 648-1395, ext. 110, or michelle.guffey@augustachronicle.com