Richmond City General Election Cancelled Due To Not Having Enough Candidates

 

In the September 2023 City Council Meeting, it was voted upon to cancel the upcoming Richmond City November 21, 2023, Municipal Election due to the number of candidates not exceeding the number of open municipal offices. The vote was unanimous.

In the Meeting, City Recorder Justin Lewis explained that the candidate signup period for the municipal general election occurred from June 1st to the 7th and that Richmond City has three city council seats to fill. However, only two candidates, Joel Draxler and Bryce Wood, signed up to run for office. As there are fewer candidates than open seats, the council needed to adopt a Resolution to cancel the 2023 general election in the city. The third open seat will be filled by the city council in January through an application and interview process.

City Council Member Lyle Bair commented on the cost savings resulting from not having an election and expressed a desire for more individuals to run for office.

Unfortunately, this is not the first time this has happened in the valley. A Herald Journal article made by Brock Marchant in April 2023 reported many communities in the valley were in the same circumstances as Richmond.

The community of Clarkston, along with other municipalities like Wellsville, Hyrum, and Cornish, has faced a lack of candidates for local positions, resulting in no elections being held since at least 2021. The issue of declining interest in running for local offices is not unique to Clarkston and is being observed in other municipalities.

Potential reasons cited for this lack of candidates include time constraints, the need to make difficult decisions, the possibility of facing disgruntled constituents, financial restrictions, and feelings of incompetency among potential candidates unfamiliar with local government processes. The financial burden of the positions, coupled with the requirement to invest many hours for little pay, may deter candidates with diverse perspectives and opinions. This financial barrier could limit the representation of younger candidates, individuals from different ethnic backgrounds, or those from different walks of life.

In some cases, the need for a pay increase for council members creates additional complexities, as the council must vote for their own raise after a public hearing, making it challenging for a fiscally responsible council to approve such an increase.

Furthermore, the prospect of dealing with constituents who express anger and engage in confrontational behavior can be daunting for potential candidates. Some candidates may feel they are not adequately compensated for the time and effort they contribute, particularly when they face verbal abuse or threats.

The situation varies among municipalities, with some reporting an acceptable number of candidates, while others experience a decline in the number of people running for office. It is evident that public perceptions of local governance can be influenced by national-level political controversies, which can deter potential candidates from stepping forward.

Despite these challenges, local elections are vital for community representation, and they provide an opportunity for residents to have a say in their local governance. Encouraging civic participation and ensuring a diverse range of candidates is essential for strengthening local democracy.