The race for Elgin City Council is on

The Nov. 2 election is right around the corner, but folks are already lining up for a crack at the Elgin City Council next spring.

At least eight people want to run for three, four-year seats and at least one new council member will get elected on April 2, 2011 because David Kaptain is giving up his seat to run against Mayor Ed Schock.

The candidates vary in experience and organization.

Some don't have their platforms spelled out yet.

Most don't have head and shoulders photos that we could put in the paper so readers can put a face with a name.

Others took several days to reach on the phone.

Some candidates shot from the hip; others promised innovative solutions and fresh thinking.

I'm sure all these things will work themselves out after petitions are filed in mid-November.

Educated and articulate candidates with sensible solutions will rise to the top.

Those with an ax to grind will be exposed through candidate forums and questionnaires in this and other publications.

Feelings will be hurt and mailboxes will be filled with glossy mailers. It's possible some candidates will lob figurative grenades at each other and probably attack the city itself.

And all of this is a good thing.

The more voices in an election, the healthier the democracy.

I've been covering the Chicago suburbs for 14 years and I always get a little worried or skeptical when local elections feature uncontested races.

That means people are afraid to speak up, feel they can't make a difference, or the powers that be use technicalities to eliminate their opponents from the ballot.

Or maybe they are happy and content.

In any case, I believe a crowded field in Elgin is a healthy sign.

City government can impact people's lives immediately and on many levels. It only takes four votes to raise your local sales tax, charge more money for business license fees or to hire or fire police officers and firefighters.

There is one downside to the crowded field, though.

If 13 or more people file this time around, it will trigger a primary election on Feb. 22 to narrow the field to 12 hopefuls.

So it's possible there could be a primary to eliminate one - yes, just one! - candidate from the ballot.

To me, that's a waste of time and resources.

A primary should probably narrow the field to six candidates for three seats.

This will ensure the three winners will get more votes and more direction from the people they take an oath to serve.

• Harry Hitzeman covers Elgin, South Elgin and Gilberts./p>