In their first in-person meeting since March due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Hopkinsville City Council members Tuesday night narrowly passed the second reading of the nonpartisan elections ordinance.
The nonpartisan elections ordinance will include a primary election with a ward system with the top two candidates who get the most votes moving on to the general election. The first reading and approval of the ordinance came at a meeting in May.
The second reading of the ordinance at a meeting in June was delayed after council members voted to wait until they returned to in-person meetings and the public was allowed to voice their support or opposition of nonpartisan elections.
Prior to the meeting Tuesday night, a group of about 20 people opposing the ordinance held a rally outside the Municipal Building. Andre Gold of Iris Circle told the News Edge there are a number of reasons he is against nonpartisan elections but the most important reason is it weakens the minority vote.
During public comments, twelve people addressed council for about an hour and voiced their concerns and opposition to nonpartisan elections. Steve Hoover of Thomas Street said this should be on the ballot for the citizens to decide not council members.
Alethea West of Colonette Drive said she is angry and tired of pleading with city council to make the right decisions for the good of all the citizens of Hopkinsville and the citizens should have the right to vote on it. She added the decision council is making will affect the next generation.
After a lengthy discussion among council members, a motion was made by councilman Phillip Brooks to send the ordinance back to the Committee of the Whole and have Mayor Wendell Lynch form a committee to do more research on nonpartisan elections and get more input from the public failed by one vote.
Council then voted on the second reading of the nonpartisan elections ordinance which passed by a 6-5 vote with Phillip Brooks, Darvin Adams, Patricia Waddell-Bell, Jason Bell, and Kim McCarley casting the nay votes.
The ordinance will not be in effect for the upcoming general election but will take effect in the 2022 election for city seats.
The next regular city council meeting will be Tuesday evening, July 21st, at 6:00.
