Who won The Citizen Face Off podcast about district voting?

Thu, 01/10/2008 - 1:31pm
By: Michael Boylan


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Submitted by swmbo on Sun, 01/13/2008 - 2:11pm.

Some group is getting shafted. I suspect that at-large voting is really intended to preserve a single party's power. Statistically, it makes sense; like-minded people tend to move into the same area. It seems like the north end is attracting more dems, while the south end attracts more reps. And, if that population shifts to make up half of the county, the balance of power will shift, as well. Why do you think the County Commissioners are trying to move the district lines? They don't want one district to have enough people in it to control an election. They just don't have the "guts" to admit it.

As for the race issues, who knows? At-large voting may have the effect of preserving power for a particular race but since black people make up only 13% of the entire country (and I think they make up even less of the Fayette population), I don't think it would make much of a difference, racially, to have district voting.

But, no matter how you look at the issue, the only way, under the at-large system, that a commissioner gets booted from his district is to upset 51% of the entire county -- even if 100% of his district votes for him. So, his chances of being reelected are better if he votes for what the other districts want than they would be by serving his own district. If you like paying for someone to ignore your district's needs regarding development, taxes, traffic and water, then, you've got no complaint with the current system.

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If you and I are always in agreement, one of us is likely armed and dangerous.

The Crime Dog's picture
Submitted by The Crime Dog on Sat, 01/12/2008 - 7:19pm.

Everyone who managed to avoid this boring issue.

Only 15-20 percent of everyone here (the ones who vote) actually *might* care.


Peter Pfeifer's picture
Submitted by Peter Pfeifer on Sat, 01/12/2008 - 10:33am.

Please check your facts. In Fayette County, there is NO "District Voting". Each citizen votes on ALL School Board candidates and each city resident votes on ALL candidates for City Council.
Also, Mike's comment about all 5 members being from the same area is incorrect now. 2 are at large (live anywhere) 3 must each live in a different area. Thanks.


Submitted by swmbo on Sun, 01/13/2008 - 1:14pm.

Please check your facts. Three of the commissioners are from Fayetteville, two are from PTC. That is hardly representative of Brooks, Tyrone, Woolsey and Unincorporated Fayette county. Why else did you guys vote for a tax increase on the rest of the county and a decrease to PTC? Can you say "Political Patronage"? Eye-wink

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If you and I are always in agreement, one of us is likely armed and dangerous.

Submitted by IMNSHO on Thu, 01/10/2008 - 5:17pm.

Seriously. I'm not sure you could pay me money to listen to it.

Michael Boylan's picture
Submitted by Michael Boylan on Thu, 01/10/2008 - 1:50pm.

Listen to the podcast - over on the right.


Submitted by sageadvice on Fri, 01/11/2008 - 1:28am.

I didn't listen.
I prefer that you work on the horrible problems right now with the blogs!!!!

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