Should San Francisco Abolish Elections in Odd-Numbered Years?Paul Hogarthbyline‚ Jun. 28‚ 2007On June 26th, Supervisor Jake McGoldrick proposed a Charter Amendment at the Rules Committee to abolish city elections in odd-numbered years. The measure would move San Francisco’s elections for Mayor, District Attorney, and Sheriff to coincide with presidential elections, and City Attorney and Treasurer with gubernatorial elections. The Amendment was tabled due to lack of support, but it’s actually a good idea. More people vote in even-numbered years, so holding elections in odd-numbered years effectively disenfranchises thousands of voters – including a large number of renters and people of color. While many cities have municipal elections in odd-numbered years, it’s a vestige of the urban “reform” movements of the early Twentieth Century when business elites feared that political machines were giving too much power to the poor and immigrants. And when cities have moved their municipal elections to even-numbered years, we have seen a higher voter turnout and, consequently, a more progressive electorate. |