Contested races in local elections should spur voters' interest
by Julie von Sternberg
Candidates for local offices gathered in Lexington for a forum Sept. 18.
On Nov. 6, residents of Rockbridge County and the City of Lexington will have the opportunity to vote in several local elections and one race for state senate.
Some worry that because it is an off-year election nationally, voter turnout will be low. But interesting local races might make this year an exception.
The contested races in the county include four Board of Supervisors seats and three county school board seats. There is also competition for two seats on the board of the Natural Bridge Soil and Water Conservation District. The office of sheriff, which is shared by both Rockbridge County and the City of Lexington, is also up for grabs.
In the race for state Senate District 24, Republican Sen. Emmett Hanger is being challenged by a Democrat, David Cox, and a Libertarian, Arin Sime.
In the town of Glasgow, Town Council Member Sarah C. Funkhouser is challenging incumbent Samuel H. "Sam" Blackburn for mayor.
Voter registration ends on Oct. 8, always 29 days before the election. Registrar Marylynn Earhart reports that so far the number of registered voters is about what she expected.
But those numbers are not always a good indicator of how many people will show up on Election Day.
"Unless there is a lot of local interest in a topic, a lot of people who are registered to vote just don't bother," said Katherine Smith, chair of the Rockbridge County Democratic Party.
On Election Day, each county district including Buffalo, Kerrs Creek, Natural Bridge, South River, and Walkers Creek, will transform available schools, churches and fire houses into voting precincts, which will be open from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m.
For citizens who are unable to vote on Nov. 6, absentee voting is available in person or by mail starting on Sept. 24. Those votes will be counted as a separate precinct, in addition to the county's 17 other precincts.
Because of the small size of these districts, contested elections for supervisor are usually close.
"In Rockbridge County they are almost impossible to predict," said Smith.
Candidates attended forums in Vesuvius on Sept. 17 and in Lexington on Sept. 18. Candidates who officially declare that they will not accept campaign contributions are allowed to use up to $1,000 of their own money.
According to records in the county registrar's office, most incumbents in the Board of Supervisors races chose to take the $1,000 self-funding option, while the challengers are accepting contributions.
In the race for sheriff, Sheriff R. W. "Bob" Day and his challenger, Robert E. Clark, both chose to accept contributions. From June 1 to the August 31, Clark received $1,100, while Day, who started receiving contributions in January, has received $1,271. That does not include contributions given in September, which have yet to be reported.
One local resident is confident that his candidate will succeed.
"Day will win without a doubt," said former Republican Committee member Roger Dean. "The party, including myself, supports him."
In the board of supervisors' race, however, Dean wouldn't make any predictions. With four out of the five seats being contested, the election promises to be especially exciting.
"It is a major part of the election cycle for Rockbridge County," said Mike Oxford, chair of the Lexington Democratic Committee.
The Board of Supervisors plays an important role in determining the shape of the county's future, but because supervisors represent small districts, each must respond to the parochial needs of constituents.
In Walkers Creek District, incumbent K.L "Monty" Fix is running against A. W. "Buster" Lewis and W. Frank "Pat" Patterson. In the Kerrs Creek District, incumbent Harvey Hotinger will face Russell "Rusty" Ford. Incumbent Maynard Reynolds is running against Hunt Riegel in the Natural Bridge District. In the Buffalo District, incumbent Mack Smith is being challenged by W. B. "Doc" Wilmore. Carroll Comstock will run unopposed in the South River District.
Under a new system of staggered terms on the Board of Supervisors, candidates will be running for different term lengths. The future supervisor in the Kerrs Creek and Walkers Creek Districts will hold the position for two years, while the supervisors in the remaining districts will serve for four years.
While hot-button issues draw voters in national and state races, in small counties like Rockbridge, other factors can be at play.
"The more local the race, the more it is a popularity contest," said Oxford. "It's less about issues and party labels and more about what school your children attend and who you know from church."
Produced by Washington and Lee journalism students.
Lead supervisor: Prof. Brian Richardson
Reporting supervisors:
Technical supervisor: Michael Todd