Heading into Tuesday’s municipal primary election day, many voters in the Jackson suburb of Madison were confused about whether they were being asked to go to the polls or not.
Through word of mouth and public announcements, residents of Madison found out that there would not be municipal elections this year. But why? According to Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson, cities can utilize state law to not hold elections if no candidates file paperwork to challenge any incumbents.
“They can dispense with those elections if they so choose,” Watson explained, adding that his office works with municipalities such as Madison with no incumbents to make decisions on whether to hold an election or not.
“That’s another reason why it’s important for us to have open lines of communication with our local election officials. Some were kind of concerned with what to do, and that’s when we step in and advise them of what the statute says and how they can conduct the election moving forward. Then, we answer questions for constituents as well who have certain issues in their cities and want to know exactly what’s going on.”
In Madison’s case, Republican Mayor Mary Hawkins Butler drew no challengers as she has become a stronghold for the capital’s second-largest suburb. Even with a recent breast cancer diagnosis, Hawkins Butler has stayed the course with more and more retailers and restaurants opening in typical brick fashion inside the city limits.
Hawkins Butler is now on the path to a 12th term, making her the second-longest-serving female mayor in the nation after first being elected to office in 1981.
As for the board of aldermen, Madison citizens were happy enough to not push anyone to run, maintaining the following Republican-only panel: Sandra Strain (Alderman-At-Large), Tawanna Tatum (Ward 1), Pat Peeler (Ward 2), Janie Jarvis (Ward 3), Paul Tankersley (Ward 4), Mike Hudgins (Ward 5), and Guy Bowering (Ward 6).
With no Democrats or independents seeking office in the general election, Madison should be able to forego that race as well, meaning the mayor and board of aldermen will all get another four years in office without having to campaign.
While some argue dispensing with elections prevents a write-in candidate from emerging, the likelihood of a write-in candidate winning is always slim, yet not impossible. On the other hand, thousands in taxpayer dollars are saved by not holding a municipal election.
