Vote “No” to partisan politics in West Windsor

Dear Editor:

I am a 16-year resident of West Windsor. It is a wonderful town and a great place to raise a family.  I am a lifelong independent voter who does not wish to be affiliated with a political party.  

West Windsor has had non-partisan elections for over 30 years.  Any candidate can run for town council or mayor in the general election, without the divisive party politics of Democrats vs. Republicans that dominate our national elections.  Historically, many candidates who have different political views on national issues run together in West Windsor elections because they want to work together to do what is best for our town.  

Unfortunately, a small group of folks want to turn our elections into typical partisan politics, with primary elections (which exclude independent voters), labeling everyone as a Democrat or Republican, and bringing the involvement of party leaders and outside money into the process.  Instead of voting for the best candidates for our town based on local issues, they want voters to blindly vote on party lines based on their national party leanings.  They have put a yes/no ballot question on the ballot for the November election, with a “yes” vote to turn the town partisan, and a “no” vote to keep our current non-partisan system.  

The proponents of the “yes” vote have been misleading people by telling voters it’s a simple change on the ballot to promote “transparency”.  In reality, it’s a total change in our election process.  They want this not for the benefit of West Windsor, but for the benefit of their party leaders and their preferred candidates.  

If West Windsor goes “partisan”, the same thing will happen in West Windsor that happens in neighboring partisan towns – candidates run opposed in the primary election, then unopposed in the general election.  Voters in those towns literally have zero choice in their elections. Party leaders (including those at the county level outside the town) are the ones who simply anoint the town officials.  The officials are beholden to party leaders, not voters.  What’s the point of even having an election?  

Many Independents, Democrats, and Republicans stand united against this change. I urge all West Windsor residents to vote “No” to this ballot question in the November election.    

Joe Charles
West Windsor

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9 Comments

  1. Joe, as always you perfectly capture what is at stake in West Windsor regarding the partisan ballot in this year’s election. Every resident should VOTE NO

  2. Agreed Joe. I’ve been a resident of West Windsor for 11 years. I have found it refreshing that at a local level our elections have been non-partisan. I am also worried it will lower choices, alienate independents and make our local representatives more dependent on outside interests rather than serving township residents.
    Hence, I am voting ‘No’ to this proposal.

  3. Well said, Joe. I have lived in town during both systems, and I find the current one much better for the reasons you so eloquently explain. And the proposed change seems to be driven by big money outsiders. Have a look at the NJ ELEC reports! Citizens now have great freedom of choice to run and to vote for the best people. That won’t happen if we change. I recommend voters say NO to the ballot proposal.

  4. Joe well said. We have already seen a preview with outside money pouring in on the YES side. They have received over 85% of their donations from out of township from entities that have no connection to West Windsor. Why would an outfit in Denver, CO or New Hampshire be interested in donating to how local government in West Windsor is organized. Boggles once mind.

  5. So well said, Joe. Being non partisan is part of what makes West Windsor so special. Our elected officials are completely engaged with the community. That is why I am voting NO on the upcoming ballot question.

  6. Please, stop that; don’t let it happen to your town. In Princeton, our local elections for council are a waste in the sense that as the majority of the town is a democrat, the party chooses who will run and win and most of the times, the candidates run unopposed, they don’t even bother to campaign. And when there are more candidates even though they might also be democrats, as they are not the “chosen”, people of their own party spread rumours as a way to teach them a lesson since they should “wait for their turn”. The seats are decided by the party in charge. There is not democracy in Princeton when it is about council and mayor. For BOE that allegedly is non-partisan, usually more candidates run and is more competitive though the democrats also have their preferred candidates for BOE and meddle when they can.

    1. The PCDO does select who they want to run for positions and this is described by Michelle Lambros in a video interview available online. If you are not the chosen candidate the heads of the PCDO will label you racist or transphobic. This just happened to the two Asian candidates for the BOE. The PCDO is so scared of genuine diversity on the BOE that they attack parents running for the Board. The democrats were also caught hiring people to steal lawn signs from opposing candidates. Caught by the police with campaign signs in the trunk. How low can they go? As low as possible to retain power. Despicable.

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