After action by the Committee of the Whole Thursday night, Hopkinsville City Council will be considering in the near future changing the current partisan election process for the twelve city ward seats to a nonpartisan election.
Ward 7 Councilman Terry Parker made the recommendation for nonpartisan elections with a ward system, opening the primary election for all registered voters regardless of party affiliation.
City Attorney Doug Willen outlined the statutes pertaining to nonpartisan elections, including a five-year period in which they can not make a change to their decision and they have two primary election options they can choose.
He added if they chose nonpartisan elections they could also make the primary election voting city at large or keep the current per ward system. He pointed out the current wards would not change and the two candidates with the most votes would move on to the general election.
Willen also said an ordinance would need to be enacted to change to a nonpartisan election, adding that it would not be effective this election cycle.
Parker then stated the political divide continues to get worse every day. He added partisanship on the federal and state level is clouding their perspective and decision making, and the city council should not be making decisions based on party affiliations.
Committee of the Whole Chair Phillip Brooks suggested they form a committee to discuss it further and said he feels it will create a socioeconomic problem.
Parker’s motion passed by a 7-4 vote with Brooks, Darvin Adams, Kim McCarley, and Patricia Bell casting the nay votes.
The first reading of the ordinance will be placed on the agenda at a future meeting of Hopkinsville City Council.
