Mayor favors local rules for municipal elections

Editors's note: Mount Prospect voters will be asked Tuesday, Feb. 2, whether the town should have its own rules for municipal elections, or should follow rules set by the State Board of Elections. The issue split the village board. Here, the mayor comments on why she favors a "yes" vote and two trustees explain why they favor a "no" vote.

At the Feb. 2 election, Mount Prospect voters will decide what type of elections they want. It is a complex subject, but I voted to place the question on the ballot because voters should decide their own election rules.

Historically, Mount Prospect held nonpartisan elections, without primaries, and elected mayors and trustees at consolidated elections.

Before a candidate's name goes on the ballot, he/she must circulate and submit signatures of registered voters on petitions. The State Board of Election always provided petitions which fit Mount Prospect's elections.

In preparation for last year's 2009 Consolidated Election, without warning, the administrators at the State Board of Elections no longer published those petitions. Defying logic, they determined if Mount Prospect is nonpartisan, our petitions must provide for a primary before the consolidated election.

The number of petition signatures needed for each type of election also is different. Elections with primaries require fewer names. This last election, about 80 valid signatures got us on the ballot. In the past, I submitted between 300 and 500 valid signatures, which varied based on a percent of votes cast in a previous election.

The question on the ballot is the following:

"Should the Village of Mount Prospect continue its nonpartisan system of electing its mayor and trustees; but use a nominating signature requirement that is equal to at least 1 percent of the number of registered voters in the Village of Mount Prospect and require no primary election?"

A "yes" vote preserves a higher petition signature requirement. It will eliminate a primary election for us. Our Mount Prospect village clerk will supply our petitions.

A "no" vote means fewer signatures are needed on petitions. A primary election must be held if five or more candidates file for an office. The State Board of Elections will provide petitions.

I will be voting "yes." Our past system has served us for decades. In addition, allowing our village clerk to provide petitions gives us local control and removes us from the whims of the State Board of Elections.