Gretna’s election decision reflects statewide trend

Gretna Town Council’s recent decision to move its elections from May to November reflects a statewide trend, said an official with the Virginia Municipal League .

Since the commonwealth stopped funding local elections during the 2008-09 fiscal year, the number of cities and towns in Virginia moving its elections to November has increased, said Mary Jo Fields, director of research for the Virginia Municipal League.

Out of the state’s 190 towns and 39 cities, 19 and 15, respectively, have chosen the route of fall elections, Fields said. Three towns, including Hurt, and 15 cities have made the switch in 2009. Chatham and Gretna are now in the process of shifting their elections. 

“More municipalities (have been) considering the switch over the last several months,” Fields said.

The state saves about $82,000 a year by not funding local elections, she said.

“That’s just a pittance,” Fields said.

The pros of holding municipal and town elections in November elections include increased voter turnout and lower costs for localities. But it also has its drawbacks.

Media coverage of local elections gets drowned out by statewide and national races, voters may pay less attention to town and city elections, buying political ads is more expensive in November and local candidates may get caught up in national, hot-button issues less relevant to a particular locality, Fields said.

As for Gretna’s Monday night decision, the town council voted 3-2 to change the town’s ordinance and voted 3-2 again to send a resolution to state Sen. Robert Hurt, R-Chatham, to seek approval from the General Assembly, said Gretna Town Manager David Lilly. Two councilmen were absent, so Mayor Glenna Lingafelt had to provide the tie-breaking votes.

Moving the elections will save the town a minimum of $2,000 and will bring Gretna into line with Hurt and Chatham, Lilly said.

However, Town Councilman Wayne Wood, who opposed the idea, remains unconvinced the move will benefit the town. How much more a spring election would cost compared to a fall race is not clear, he said. Also, having the law changed will incur legal fees, said Wood, who hoped to have more solid dollar figures to consider.

People are used to voting in May, and just because other towns are switching their elections doesn’t mean Gretna should, Wood said.

Danville Mayor Sherman Saunders said the city has not discussed moving its municipal elections to the fall in the 13 years he’s been on the City Council.