>> FUTURE ELECTIONS
The Baldwin County Board of Commissioners voted four months ago to pursue staggered terms for its members, but that request is already in jeopardy.
The March 7 vote to request the local legislation to authorize the staggered elections was with a 3-2 split. Commissioners Henry Craig, Sammy Hall, and Johnny Westmoreland voted in favor of the proposal, while District 1 Commissioner Emily Davis and Kendrick Butts of District 2 opposed it.
When contacted this week about the request, State Sen. Rick Williams said that creates a problem.
“It is my policy to not introduce legislation unless it is unanimously approved by the local authorities,” Williams said. “I wouldn’t introduce the bill with a 3-2 vote. I will be happy to meet with the commissioners to discuss it if they would like to.”
State Rep. Ken Vance echoed Williams’ sentiments.
“Personally, I am in favor of staggered terms,” the former Milledgeville city councilman said. “That’s my personal preference. It’s a good way of keeping continuity going. If you come in with a whole new slate of people—and it could happen—you don’t know what’s been done before you.”
Vance, though, went on to say that he has to put personal preferences aside when doing his job.
“My understanding is it was a 3-2 vote by the county commissioners,” Vance said. “That puts elected officials like Senator Williams and myself in a real tough position. From what I have heard in my one session, if local legislation is something that doesn’t come to the state unanimously, it’s tough. Local legislation is not an automatic thing.
“We have to be really careful about this,” Vance continued. “I’m not saying yes or no today. When it’s not unanimous, it creates an idea of uncertainty in some people’s minds.
Vance stated that he does not like “gamesmanship” and wants to do what is best for the vast majority. He pointed out that a portion of Baldwin County east of the Oconee River is in the district of State Rep. Mack Jackson of Sandersville.
“Since Baldwin County is in two districts, Rep. Jackson would have to sign off anything I introduce. We both would have to sign off on the bill,” said Vance.
Jackson appears to be emphatic about his position.
“Whenever I’m approached about local legislation, I like for it to be unanimous. Whether it’s city council, county commissioners, hospital authority, or any local legislation, my policy is it has to be unanimous. When I take a resolution to legislative counsel and there’s a split vote, they’re going to want to know why,” Jackson stated. “So, I’d rather have a unanimous decision when they come up with local legislation.”
Jackson said that decision is the responsibility of the local officials.
“My suggestion would be for them to go back in the room and come to an agreement of some kind. I like to give local control. I don’t want to get in the middle of local politics,” said Jackson.
The commissioners at this point remain steadfast in their positions.
Davis is opposed to the change, saying she understood from talking to others that staggered elections create racial overtones.
“Over the years, like when I grew up with NAACP, SCLC, and working on all kind of racial issues, it’s always been a racial thing as to why people wanted staggered elections,” Davis said. “It’s not a good thing for our community, my community.
“We’re going to talk about it again with some folks that have been around longer than me. I reach out to other people,” she added, naming some area Black elected officials. “We collaborate, talk about stuff.”
Butts, recognizing the reason given for the staggered terms was the possibility of five new commissioners being elected at the same time, believes that is no reason to change the election process.
“I trust the constituents in Baldwin County,” Butts said. “If they vote five people in and want new leadership, they won’t have any problem. It’s not a complicated job. The only thing you’ve got to do is follow existing laws and love your constituents, and you should be able to do your job.”
However, Butts stressed that it has been the same for years and that he does not see the reason for the change. There has always “been the potential where we vote five people in” and he questions why that has not occurred yet if it’s a necessity.
Westmoreland answered stating the reasoning for the staggered elections is simple.
“We were concerned all five of us could be voted out at one time,” he said. “And if that happens you don’t have anyone to run the county, except the county manager who works for the commissioners. To get someone on board, to get them certified, get some training you’re talking a couple of years. You can get certified in six or seven months, but that just gives them the basics. That’s our main concern.”
County manager Carlos Tobar strongly supports staggered terms.
“As a staff member, I see the value of staggered elections,” Tobar said.
“Theoretically, you could have all new commissioners with non-staggered elections. If you had all new commissioners, the impact that would have on the county is frightening… Having experienced commissioners will help transition new commissioners to the board.”
Should the commissioners succeed in getting the legislation introduced, some have questioned if it could be effective in 2024. Probate Judge and Elections Superintendent Todd Blackwell said qualifying for next year’s Primary will be March 4-8. That is only a little less than eight weeks after the General Assembly convenes.
Both Vance and Williams said the legislation could be effective for next year’s election.
“There’s a lot of moving parts,” Williams said. “But, if it passes the House easily, it could be transmitted to the Senate immediately.
We could get it through the Senate and send it to the governor’s office for his signature If everything was done right, it could be done.” Williams, however, reiterated his earlier stance. “I have talked with the other two (legislators), and if it’s not unanimous, it won’t get introduced,” Williams said.