Why West Windsor Should Vote No

Background.

In order for someone to currently run for political office in West Windsor they need to simply want to help the community. They get a certain number of people in the community to sign a petition and they are qualified to run and their name goes on the November ballot as an independent candidate. All other candidates must adhere to this process, all candidates must run as independents, and are listed together on the ballot without a major party label (Democrat, Republican) assigned to their name.

The alternative that is being sought is to eliminate this system for a rigid party structure dominated by the Republican and Democratic Parties. Essentially anyone seeking to be a viable candidate in local elections would have to seek the "blessing" of the Republicans or Democrats, modify their positions to conform to the party position, and compete in a primary election in June.

Here is why our current process is preferable to what is being proposed.

1. Simplicity. Getting the signatures to certify a candidacy is simple and to the point as opposed to a complicated party vetting system and an additional election in June that precedes the November vote.

2. Competitiveness. Our WW elections are far more competitive than any other municipality in the county. They are usually decided by a small number of voters and candidates need to win based on their position on local issues important to WW voters. Unfortunately, in other towns the folks that hold office often run unopposed in general elections and are never challenged due to the strength of the party influence.

3. Accountability. In West Windsor people seeking elected office must put their ideas front and center to be judged by voters. Candidates must work hard to remain accountable to the public. They need to articulate complex positions on local issues and if their decisions and positions are not in line with what WW voters want, they are voted out of office. They cannot rely on being voted in just because they have a (D) or an (R) next to their name. In other communities’ politicians do not need to modify their positions on local issues because their elections are non-competitive and the Democratic or Republican party affiliation and funding allows them to get elected.

4. Fairness. Our current election system in WW provides greater access for everyone including people from diverse backgrounds who might not understand the major party games that need to be played. In a non-partisan system folks that are moderate in their political beliefs, new to the community, new to NJ, or simply unfamiliar with or dislike the rigid party structure get an equal opportunity for their name to appear on the ballot. Independents also have a fighting chance in the general election. Hanging a major party label next to a candidate’s name doesn’t make them any more qualified to govern. A non-partisan ballot guarantees that independent candidates will not be overshadowed by the two major party labels, which they will be. Even though independent candidates are competent to govern they are often crushed in elections which discourages them from running again. Lastly on this point, with major party labels comes major party money flooding into our local elections making it impossible for an independent campaign to compete.

5. Rhetoric. The people pushing this change want to bring divisive national party politics into our community elections. They want to be able to brand politicians in our community with the same nasty rhetoric that we see on the state and national level. They say it is about values but it is really about winning elections and power for their respective parties. The fundamental goal of political parties is to win elections, everything else is secondary.

6. Relevance. The Democratic and Republican agendas are irrelevant to a vast majority of local issues. West Windsor's problems should be solved by West Windsor residents, not the two most divisive organizations in the United States.

West Windsor residents please talk to your friends and neighbors in the community and ask them to vote NO on election day.