Meanderings: Better option needed
Holding a non-binding election is a bad idea, no matter what question is posed or issue discussed.
Marion City Commission wants to hold such an election to measure public sentiment for a modern landfill just north of Marion. The vote could go either way. Being the site of a regional landfill has profound negative images for many people, yet the draw of income is powerful, particularly with an economy that appears to be wavering.
But a non-binding election doesn't solve any problems. It may create more.
Because the election is non-binding, commissioners who say their decision is affected by the vote's outcome may create fodder for a legal challenge from either side.
Also, the idea of holding an election, when people know in advance their votes won't have any legal weight, does nothing to reduce cynicism regarding the electoral process. Elections in Cuba work like that, not the United States.
If the city really wants to see how residents feel, why not send a questionnaire (with postage-paid return envelope) to each household? The city has the addresses through its utility billing system. A questionnaire will have no more legal standing than a non-binding vote, but at least there's a better chance of receiving a response. If commissioners really want to know "the will of the people" a survey is the better option.
City commissioners need to be careful about stating the impact of the vote, but it is fair to find out — in advance — what numbers they consider valuable. What percentage will they accept as "the will of the people?" What if 700 people (less than half the registered electors) vote, but 70 percent of those ballots oppose a landfill? Has the commission made its decision any easier? Worse, what if everybody votes, and it's a close outcome? Do commissioners reject the large minority vote, no matter what it is?
And of course, when the election is finished, neither side on this issue is going to pack up and go away.
A non-binding election doesn't cost very much, but when the day is over, city commissioners still have to make the decision they feel is best for Marion. They are abrogating their responsibilities as representatives. If they want to know how residents feel, they will cancel this election and send out a survey form to each elector in the city.
— MATT NEWHOUSE
