Camden Activists Want Return to Nonpartisan Votes

Supporters are pushing for a Nov. referendum

A group of activists wants Camden to return to nonpartisan elections.

Citizens are pushing a petition to get a ballot referendum in November that would allow voters to decide whether to have municipal officials run without a “Democrat” or “Republican” designation.

Advocates tell The Philadelphia Inquirer that the switch would give candidates not backed by the local Democratic machine a better chance.

The Democrat-dominated city had nonpartisan elections from 1960 to 1992 and again from 1996 to 2007.

One reason for the switch back to partisan five years ago was costs: Nonpartisan elections were held in May and had to be paid for by the city.

But partisan elections would be held in November with county election officials picking up the costs.

The NJ primary election is Tuesday, June 5.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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