You’ve heard it before: “there are no Democrat potholes, no Republican sewer pipes”. Does it matter if municipal services are controlled by Democrats or Republicans? Not really. Think trash collection, streetlights, parking, police and fire, parks, snow removal and so on. None of those services requires an elected official who identifies as a Democrat or Republican, to authorize them. What matters is that people seeking public office are honest, competent and dedicated. That’s why selecting municipal officials by way of nonpartisan elections makes sense. Unfortunately, “considering” nonpartisan elections has been a recurring issue for Annapolitans for YEARS!
In a January 2013 editorial in The Capital, this was the story: “No one was surprised the City Council voted 7-2 Monday against the Charter Revision Commission’s recommendation that Annapolis switch to nonpartisan elections, like those in most Maryland municipalities. After all, other charter revision panels, in 1996 and 2002, recommended the same thing, with the same result. But if no one’s surprised, all Annapolitans – a few rabid partisans excepted – should be disappointed that small-bore party considerations continue to triumph over common sense, not to mention fairness to the independent voters shut out of the city’s primary elections. Whether you’re talking about maritime zoning or 2 am liquor licenses, the issue weighed by the mayor and aldermen have virtually nothing to do with the positions of the national Democratic and Republican parties. Arbitrarily corralling local candidates by party designation in the primaries serves mainly to keep capable people – Democrats, Republicans and Independents – out of the general election and out of office.”
We couldn’t agree more! Voters who are “Unaffiliated” is a trend that is growing in Annapolis, as well as nationally. More and more voters seem to be shunning party affiliation in favor of an “independent” view of elective politics.
More recently, the City’s 2023 Charter Review Commission recommended, as it did in 2013, the adoption of Nonpartisan elections for City elections. Unfortunately, if you are not registered as a Democrat or Republican, you won’t be able to vote in the September Primary election. That means almost 28% of City voters will be shut out of the election process. This should have been solved years ago, since it was a 2017 “campaign promise” from Mayor Buckley’s … but he has reneged on it.
According to the County Board of Elections, with whom the City contracts to handle the election process, it costs “about $150,000” to manage the election and the State may impose new requirements which would “dramatically” increase these costs. In the case of the Primary elections, the cost is borne by ALL voters, not just the “Ds and Rs” … the “independent “ voters pay for an election in which they cannot even vote!
Political announcements have started for this year’s municipal elections. The Primary elections will be on September 16 and the General Election is November 4, 2025.
So far, we have two candidates for Mayor: Alderwoman Rhonda Pindell-Charles and former Alderman Jared Littmann. Both are Democrats.
All City Council seats will also be up for grabs: these are the candidates, so far: Ward 1 has Harry Huntley, Ron Gunzburger and Ben Bramsen, all vying for the seat vacated by Elly Tierney. Ward 2’s Karma O’Neill is seeking reelection. Ward 3 must elect a replacement for Rhonda Pindell-Charles who is running for Mayor. Keanuu Smith-Brown, has filed for Ward 3. Ward 4’s Sheila Finlayson is undecided if she will seek her 6th term. But Janice Allsup-Johnson, has announced her run for Ward 4. In Ward 5, Brooks Schandelmeier, just filed for reelection. Ward 6’s DaJuan Gay has been silent about his plans. Ward 7’s Rob Savidge will seek reelection. In Ward 8, Will Cunha and Retired Adm Frank Thorp will contend for the seat of Ross Arnett, who will not seek a 6th term. Except for Cunha, who is running as an Independent, only Democrats have announced their candidacies. Any Republican or other Independent challengers have yet to announce.
The State Board of Elections reports, as of December 31, 2024, there are about 28,000 registered voters in the City of Annapolis: 55%% are Ds, 27% are Rs … and 28% are “Unaffiliated” or other minor groups. With a 2:1 imbalance, it is no wonder Democrat candidates have the odds in their favor. And it may also answer “why” there is little motivation for the City Council to change the law to allow “Unaffiliated” (i.e., “Independent”) voters to cast their ballot in Primary elections.
But that is a change that is long over-due. In the State of Maryland only three municipal governments have “partisan elections”: Frederick, Baltimore … and Annapolis. Yes, you read that right: Annapolis follows the same election policy as that paragon of good government, the City of Baltimore!
We can do better!
Term Limits
Currently, members of the Annapolis City Council can serve an unlimited number of 4-year terms. Alderman Ross Arnett (W8), who announced his retirement, would be eligible for his 6th 4-year term … 24-years, in total. Alderwoman Sheila Finlayson (W4), is considering a run for her 6th term. The mayor can only serve two consecutive 4-year terms. We believe ALL council members should be limited to the same standard. Some may argue that council “experience” is an important benefit … but it also institutionalizes rigid thinking. Two terms – 8 years – should be adequate for a council member to “move up” … or out. Our country’s Founding Fathers expected citizen legislators would serve briefly, then return to their occupation, rather than making a career out of being a legislator. And, if a council member is appointed to fill a vacancy caused by resignation or death, within the City Code-specified “15 months before an election”, the maximum term would be 9 years, 3 months.
These two simple – but long-overdue – changes will affect how Annapolis’ elections are conducted and will provide an expansion of the pool of candidates who would be eligible to pursue an elected office. That would be a good – and democratic – benefit for our community. If you believe, as we do, that Nonpartisan elections are important to attract and elect the best candidates from our community rather than those who simply follow a national party affiliation that doesn’t reflect local community needs, we encourage you to contact the Mayor and Council and ask them to introduce and support a bill that allows nonpartisan candidates to run in open primary elections. To learn more about our goal to improve governance and fiscal policy in the City of Annapolis, please visit ABCAnnapolis.org
Bill Kardash, is a Ward 1 resident and serves as Chairman of Annapolitans for a Better Community (ABC). He can be contacted at ABCAnnapolis.org
