by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
City Council member Lynette Self plans to formally introduce legislation that would change the dates of next year’s primary and general elections.
Self has been pondering the decision for weeks now after discovering the date for next year’s primary is currently set for April 15, which is also the federal income tax deadline. Because a lot of attention each year is given to tax day deadlines and lengthy lines at local post offices, Self believes the distraction could potentially lower voter turnout — not a good thing considering the voters of Duval County will elect a new mayor, property appraiser and at least five new City Council members next year.
Although Self originally came up with the concept last month, she wanted to run the idea by residents and her fellow Council members. Through an e-mail survey and community interaction, Self decided there was enough support for her idea to pursue it legally through a City ordinance.
“I don’t know the last count, but when I’m out at things like Town Meetings, I poll people,” said Self. “It’s usually about 70-30 to go ahead with the change after they know the reasoning behind it. We’ve gotten about 45 e-mail responses and they have been about 60-40 in favor.”
If Self’s bill is successful — it must first receive approval from the Council Rules Committee and then the full Council — the date of next year’s primary will be switched from April 15 to April 22, while the general election will move from May 13 to May 20. While the general election date will never be affected by tax day, Self would like to see it changed also in order to keep the same amount of time between the primary and general elections.
Frankie Knight of the Supervisor of Elections Office said changing the date of the election isn’t a big deal. Official qualifying will still begin on the eighth Tuesday of the year (Feb. 25) and end on the ninth Tuesday of the year (March 4). Knight did say the issue cannot drag on for months and months because her office will eventually start printing official material pertaining to the election and having the correct date will be imperative.
At this point citizen support is evident. However, Self isn’t sure the bill will pass City Council.
“It will be very well debated on the floor,” she said. “I have only spoken to one Council member about it — Faye Rustin — and she has talked to several who said they don’t see the need for the move.”
Self, who owns Rose of Sharon European Florist, has been busy this week with Secretaries Day and the Tuesday night Council meeting, leaving her little time to lobby her peers for support. Because next week is a rare fifth week with no committee or full Council meeting scheduled, Self said she’ll be able spend time drumming up support.
“I think I need to explain where I’m coming from,” said Self. “I love the fifth weeks because it’s a break from the routine.”