How do you want to elect City Council?
How do you want to elect City Council members into office?
The way Cincinnati elects council members is under scrutiny by the citizen-led Charter Review Task Force, commissioned to review the city's charter and recommend changes.
The Elections Committee of the Task Force discussed potential changes the city could make to its election process on Tuesday when it presented its final report.
Cincinnati has a 9X election system for voting council members into office. All candidates who qualify for election are placed on the ballot and the top 9 candidates that voters choose win seats on City Council.
This system results in a "fairly" representative council, according to the Elections Committee report. However, a council member can be elected to office with only 33 percent of the citywide vote and it can be difficult for new candidates to gain footing during the race.
"If you're going to keep 9X, there is a real advantage to being an incumbent," said City Councilman Kevin Flynn. "In a 9X, it is more of a popularity contest than an issues race. In a head-to-head race, the incumbent may still have an advantage but it's much easier for a non-incumbent."
Members of the Elections Committee researched Cincinnati's election process and compared it to other cities, resulting in five new proposals and the pros and cons of each:
Proportional Representation
• Voters rank candidates in order of preference and number them accordingly. If 9 council members need to be elected, voters select candidates by indicating their top nine choices.
• Pro: This system makes each vote count and encourages people to vote. It motivates political parties to run a candidate who has a realistic chance in winning which results in a more representative council.
• Con: Constituents can't easily vote against a candidate because this isn't a head-to-head race. It will cost city taxpayers $3 million to pay for new voting equipment and technology.
9 Districts
• All council members are elected in a head-to-head race from 9 districts.
• Pro: Races are head-to-head so constituents can vote against candidates and issues they disagree with. It ensures a representative council. Council members elected from districts are focused on improving and helping the district they are from.
• Con: Voters only get to elect one member of city council. If council members focus exclusively on the districts they are from it could take attention away from citywide issues.
5 Districts and 4 Citywide
• Five council members are elected from within five districts while four are elected in citywide races.
• Pro: Voters can choose five candidates (four citywide and one district). It incorporates localized representation while keeping the citywide perspective.
• Con: Larger districts would lower the focus on constituent services and lead to more expensive campaigns.
9 Citywide Seats (Head-to-head)
• Opponents run for particular seats in a citywide election so voters have choices for each council position.
• Pro: It increases accountability as voters decide if they want to keep or get rid of a council member based on their performance in office. This system makes it easier for new candidates to run against incumbents.
• Con: It encourages negative campaigns as candidates fight for the council seat. Better funded candidates would have an advantage over opponents. The system needs clarification as to who would run against whom.
9 District-Based Citywide Seats
• Cincinnati is divided into 9 districts that hold primaries for the top two candidates of each. The two candidates from each district run against each other for the district seat in a citywide election.
• Pro: It creates a more representative and diverse council while keeping citywide issues in mind.
• Con: Citywide head-to-head races could be more expensive than Cincinnati's current system.
The Elections committee does not support adopting the proportional representation method but did not agree on which system to potentially adopt if Cincinnati abandons the current 9X system.
"We researched it and we had good discussions but we don't consider ourselves the final word or the most knowledgeable word," said Elections Committee Chair Jeff Berding, 48, of Mt. Lookout.
The members of Task Force want voter feedback and will hold public forums to discuss recommendations but they aren't scheduled yet.
In April, the entire Charter Review Task Force will meet to decide what recommendations they will give to City Council.
If you go:
Balance of Power Committee Report
When: March 12, 11:30 a.m.
Where: Garfield Suites at 2 Garfield Place, 2nd floor conference room
Direct Accountability Committee Report
When: March 17, 11:30 a.m.
Where: Garfield Suites at 2 Garfield Place, 2nd floor conference room
Charter Review Task Force Final Findings
When: April 9 & 16, 11:30 a.m.
Where: Garfield Suites at 2 Garfield Place, 2nd floor conference room