Editorial: District 6 Run-off Election - WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

Editorial: District 6 Run-off Election

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By John Shryock - bio | email

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MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) - Due to the death of Montgomery City Councilman Willie Cook last month, a special election to replace him on the council will be held on September 14th, and we urge everyone in district 6 to vote.

At this point there are 13 candidates who have thrown their hats into the ring, which means there will likely be a run-off, and if so, that run-off election is set to take place on October 26th, one week before the general election of November 2nd.

These dates were chosen because of a city ordinance prescribing when these special elections are to be held, but surely there is some way to amend that ordinance or make an exception to it in order to have the run-off coincide with the general election.

Even though there are only 4 precincts in this special city election, there is a cost to the taxpayer... a cost that could be avoided.

More importantly, voter turnout should be encouraged in any way possible, and the inconvenience of two elections one week apart does not encourage that.

 There are over 20,000 Montgomerians affected by this council race.  I believe the city should consider making it easier for that seat to be filled properly by finding a way to move the run-off to November 2nd.