While die-hard Democrats continue to analyze and count disputed
presidential election ballots in Florida from last November’s
general election, in Castle Rock the first election of 2001 is less
than two weeks away.
But in Castle Rock, there will be no controversies at the polls
because for the first time ever, there will be no polls. The town
sent thousands of Castle Rock Town Council mail-in ballots only to
registered voters who live in historic Castle Rock, Founders
Village, Plum Creek, Red Hawk, and much of The Meadows.
Rather than trooping to a polling place, Castle Rock voters in
district Nos. 3, 5, 6 and 7 only have to affix a 34-cent stamp and
mail ballots, making certain the envelopes are received in the town
hall no later than 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 3. The other three
council seats will be up for election April 2002.
Two years ago, the town council changed the local election date
from the traditional first Tuesday in November to the earlier April
date. There were several reasons for the switch.
First of all, local elections – which arguably are as important
or even more vital to residents than a national election – would be
less likely to be obscured by the so-called major electoral
contests in the state capitals and Washington. Also, after November
elections, the newly elected Castle Rock town council had to deal
with an operating budget created and passed by last year’s
officials.
The change to April eliminated both these perceived
disadvantages.
There are several reasons the council vote is as important and
more interesting than recent campaigns. The town’s new manager,
Mark Stevens, assumes his new job Monday, April 2, only a day
before a new council is elected.
Not only will the town have a new manager, but Mayor Al Parker
is stepping down because of term limits.
This means the new council will have two new leaders with whom
to deal.
Incidentally, the election is the most contested in the last 14
years.
In recent years the turnout for town elections has been, at
best, pathetic. In some cases, a two-digit plurality carried the
day. Although the mail-in ballots are supposed to encourage voter
turnout, we advise News-Press readers to remind their neighbors to
mail in ballots to ensure the votes truly represent an informed
electorate.
It’s vitally important in April because Daylight Savings Time
begins at 2 a.m., Sunday, April 1. This means voters have one hour
less to mail in their ballots.