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Local election interesting this year; why not be a part of it
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Published: November 3, 2009
This won't come as a surprise to those of you who care -- history tells us it won't be many -- but local elections are being held across North Carolina today.
By the tens (or even dozens), voters will trickle into their local polling places, interrupt the reading of local precinct officials and cast ballots for the candidates of their choice.
In most municipalities, voters will choose between candidates who've vaguely promised to "keep taxes low" while "pushing for local economic growth."
Not so here in Camel City. Legitimate differences of opinion over the role of government and its relationship with the private sector have seen to that. Can you say "downtown ballpark?"
For a change, actual intrigue -- in the form of stealth write-in candidates and an intense (and relatively expensive) contest for the Southwest Ward -- exists.
Under-the-radar candidate
The most interesting development is the emergence of an organized write-in candidate to oppose Democrat Molly Leight in the South Ward.
An e-mail circulating over the weekend warning Leight supporters about the candidacy of Nathan Jones, a Republican and organizer of the N.C. Tea Party movement, spelled it out.
"If we do not get the word out for people to vote (today), we could end up with a Vernon Jr. on City Council," it read, referring to Vernon Robinson, the bombastic Republican who Leight unseated in 2005.
Running an unannounced write-in candidate seems like dirty pool. Sneaking in at the last minute undercuts a candidate who has legitimately filed for election and lawfully reported fundraising activity.
In Leight's case, her supporters think she's running unopposed and stay home figuring her race is won. The Democratic Party shifts its resources elsewhere, then a surprise candidate known only to a few hundred hard-core partisans wins without being subjected to public scrutiny.
Think that strategy can't work? Don't rule it out.
Rob Coffman, the county director of elections, said that while write-ins almost never win, it's not impossible.
"It's a very difficult thing to do," Coffman said. "But when the turnout is low, the chances to win are better."
Making preparations
Difficult or not, that won't stop voters from asking for write-in ballots. Coffman expects the usual handful of votes to be cast for Mickey Mouse, Ronald Reagan or perennial favorite "None of the Above" while getting ready for a serious effort elsewhere.
"We've heard stories about write-ins, and we're prepared for it," he said. "We're taking it seriously."
The other race attracting attention is the contest between Democrat Dan Besse and Republican Ted Shipley in the Southwest Ward.
Combined, Besse and Shipley have raised and spent more than $40,000 so far.
Besse has been running a traditional race with lots of volunteers going door-to-door and old-fashioned letters to the editor. Shipley has a significant e-mail tree growing in cyberspace and has been flooding mailboxes with clever direct mailings.
Nobody knows whether an old-school liberal can be taken out by a young turk conservative or whether an 11th-hour write-in candidate can win. But that's the fun of Election Day.
And remember: You don't get to complain if you don't vote.
ssexton@wsjournal.com
(336) 727-7481
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