Written by Janet Orgain
Searcy citizens found nothing but names on voting ballots yesterday when they went to the polls.The Nov. 2 election marks the first nonpartisan ballot in the city’s history.
Click here to see Tuesday’s local election results.
Searcy City Council voted last year to remove party affiliations from the ballot, according to former candidate for city council Dan Hodges.
“It was not a unanimous decision,” Hodges said. “It [nonpartisan ballot] makes it a little easier because you don’t have a primary, but it is also more difficult to get the message out because people aren’t sure if you are a Democrat or Republican.”
Mixed feelings surge among voters, some for and some against the new ballot system. Searcy citizen Sandra Squires said she agrees with the city council’s decision.
“Actually I always vote for the man, not the party,” Squires said.
Alderman Jim Dixon said the nonpartisan ballot has not largely affected his campaign strategies, and voters should ask the opinions of candidates instead of relying on party affiliation. However, Alderman candidate Robert Allen said he believes the ballot should include a candidate’s political association.
“This is the first time I’m running as an Independent,” Allen said. “I’m a conservative, very conservative. People want to know what you are.”
Searcy citizen Odell Pollard said he agreed with the city council’s decision. Pollard said he was Republican state chairman and on the Republican national committee from 1966 to 1975.
“It [nonpartisan ballot] is probably good for the city and for White County,” Pollard said. “It might weaken the Republican party in Searcy, but not an appreciative amount.”
Recent Harding graduate and Searcy native Whitney Hammes said she sees both good and bad in the nonpartisan ballot.
“It’s important to vote for a person, not just a party,” Hammes said. “But it’s also important to be informed about whom they choose to affiliate themselves with. I feel like party matters more in national elections than in local though.”
With almost every position on the ballot contested and no political party affiliations listed, Searcy voters must commit to memory not only the names but also the political associations of candidates.
