Former Omaha mayor and Omaha City Council lobbyists objected to a proposed measure that would change the city’s local elections to coincide with statewide presidential elections. State Senator John Cavanaugh introduced Legislative Bill 19, which aims to save taxpayers money by combining city and statewide elections and increase voter turnout in Omaha. Cavanaugh argues that the current spring election schedule benefits incumbent office-holders and limits voter participation.
On the other hand, opponents like former mayor Jim Suttle believe that moving city elections to the fall ballot would diminish the importance of local races and make it difficult for candidates to raise funds and secure volunteers. Lobbyists for the Omaha City Council also expressed concerns about the potential disruption to terms if the change were to occur.
Despite receiving support from some residents and facing opposition from others, the Government, Military, and Veterans Affairs Committee did not take any action on advancing the bill to the full Legislature. While the bill specifically focuses on Omaha, Cavanaugh mentioned that the concept could be expanded to include other cities if there is enough support.
Overall, the debate surrounding the proposed measure highlights concerns about voter participation, the influence of special interests, and the potential impact of shifting local elections to a statewide general election calendar. The future of this proposal remains uncertain, with various stakeholders offering differing perspectives on the potential benefits and drawbacks of the proposed changes.
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