Push for Non-Partisan Elections - WSAV: News, Weather, and Sports for Savannah, GA

Push for Non-Partisan Elections

Georgia State Senator Buddy Carter has been busy pushing a new bill that could change the way candidates run for office.

The republican from Pooler prefiled a series of bills that, if passed, would change every non-legislative local election to non-partisan. Sheriff, commissioner, and city official hopefuls would not have to choose between running on a republican or democratic ticket.

It's a welcome move for many, including Effingham Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie.

"I'm tired of hearing ‘democrats' or' republicans'. It's time we all get back to the American people. It doesn't matter what party you are in, Americans are Americans and we need to start thinking about the people who live in this country, as opposed to if they are in the Republican or Democratic Party. I think the sheriff position is just that, as well as the judges. It needs to be non-partisan because you can't be biased one way or another."

The legislation stems from complaints around the state that too few candidates are willing to run under current party labels. Local communities would be able to decide whether to change to non-partisan races.