Kontos Column: A case for local non-partisan elections

By Dan Kontos

Ever wonder why we have political parties? The classical answer is that these parties serve several functions. They nominate candidates, form and influence policies, create a see-saw balance of power, unite like-minded people in government, and inform the electorate.

The cynical me says that these answers are clouded in politi-speak. They nominate candidates that the party approves of, not necessarily the best person for the job. They often create policies that favor the party and its candidates, rather than the people as a whole. They balance out the other party, but it was the party system that created this conflict in the first place. They draw together people to cheer on a tribal mentality in politics, whereas long as our team is winning, the heck with the rest. Finally, they serve to push out the propaganda that the party gambles will advance their goals.

In short, the purpose of political parties is to seize and maintain control of the government, thus the levers of power in society.

Political parties have developed in this nation since the first associations of Federalists and the Anti-Federalists in the 18th century. Since then, there have been many iterations of this theme, to the detriment or benefit of society.

In his farewell address as president, George Washington said, “The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism.” He warned that partisanship would lead to political conflict, cause divisions amongst the people, and instigate governmental tyranny. Huh…

Now I am not here to tilt at windmills and call for the abolition of political parties at either the national or state levels. But I do question why we have allowed partisan elections at the more local levels here in Wisconsin.

While most elected positions at the county level and below are non-partisan in nature, there are still a few hold-outs that seem to defy a certain logical usefulness in determining the best candidate for the office.

For example, at the county level, we still use political parties to help shape and define candidates for clerk of the circuit courts, county clerk, register of deeds, sheriff, surveyor, and treasurer. The district attorney could be included here as well. Let’s not forget that we recently used to have a partisan officeholder for the coroner, before we changed to an appointed medical examiner. Leaving aside, for now, the discussion about the propriety of electing any of these particular officeholders, are we really better off requiring these individuals to run under a party banner? 

Shouldn’t these purported professionals and functionaries be expected to be the neutral administrators of their duties? Why does party affiliation make them greater experts? Shouldn’t they be expected to do their very best without worrying about party endorsements, partisan support, political planks to uphold, or scoldings from party bosses because you dared to violate partisan dogma or were absent from the party’s picnic?

Don’t misunderstand me, I am not espousing any blanket accusation of character flaws in any of our currently elected candidates simply because they have run in partisan elections to obtain their offices. That is the nature of the system, and I salute them for entering the arena of public service. Nor am I intending any sort of slight by pointing this out. 

But it does beg the question; why do we do this? Since the rest of the local elections are non-partisan and seem to work well, the question should be asked. The answers are as simple as they come, ambition and indifference.

Ambition comes in the form of a desire to be considered for another higher-level office, one that is certainly partisan in nature. The forces of the party can be powerful winds in a person’s political sails, and already advanced fellow party members can be a boon to climbing the political ladder, either for an appointed or elected position. Ambition can also take the shape of political support, usually in the form of campaign funding or shared advertisements, especially in the larger more populated counties.

The other reason is indifference. That’s just how we’ve always done it. We don’t really look for a reason why we do it, we simply accept it as a matter of course characteristic of our election cycle. That’s how we elect republican or democratic county surveyors, you see. Yes, I do know we currently have an independent county surveyor. Go ahead and stop yelling.

I believe that President Washington was correct and that we should look for ways to lessen, not exaggerate our political differences. That can start with non-partisan local elections. Oh, we will, and should, still discuss and debate different ideas and philosophies. People will still tend to lean in a particular political direction and favor a particular political party. However, I think that we can reserve the formal drafting of team members for larger electoral venues.

How would we make such a change, assuming the majority of you are like-minded? With a change to the state statutes, of course. Unlike the provision regarding direct legislation for municipal ordinances, no such mechanism exists for the Wisconsin statutes. The Legislature would have to pass a bill and have the governor sign it, or allow it to become law without his signature.

I find this prospect unlikely, given the self-perpetuating nature of politics. But one can dream, right? After all, it took until 1975 to repeal the section in the state constitution regarding dueling, so nothing is impossible. I will continue to put this bug in the ears of my elected legislators, and I hope you may be inclined to do this too.

Until then, we should demand that all of our elected officials act with the same non-partisan spirit that equally serves everyone, regardless of political affiliation or leaning. Accountability starts and ends with us, the voters. Remember that at the next election, because there are consequences at the polls.

So, with that, let’s meet in the opinion section to talk about all of it, boldly, unafraid, and with a healthy respect for each other. Until then, God bless.

Dan Kontos is a paid columnist for the Metro Wire. He chooses his own topics and his opinions do not necessarily represent the staff of the Metro Wire. He lives with his family in Whiting. 

Interested in becoming a columnist for the Metro Wire? Email [email protected].