Special Elections Are Like Burning Money

I finally got an answer to a question that I've asked before. How much is it costing the taxpayer for all these special elections we're having these days? Why are we spending $385,000 to fill a $30,000 a yr. job? That's what the election for state senator in dist. 30, between Beverly Marerro and Robert Spence cost the city. With less than 3000 people voting. This election cost roughly $150 a vote. People in Memphis don't vote in general elections, let alone special ones. If you get a 40% turnout that's above average. When you have a special election you cut that number in half if not more.

This is nothing more than manipulation of the voters. A shearing of the unsuspecting sheep so to speak. The former State Senator (Steve Cohen) who vacated this seat, practically picked his successor. If you can get these races away from the general elections. You can win these contests with a relatively small base of supporters. The only people that are going to go to the polls are those pushing an agenda. The winner (Beverly Marrero) won with about 2000 votes. Her only competitor (Robert Spence) got about 800 votes. A candidate (Steve Gallagher) who dropped out of the race to late to remove his name from the ballot. Got about 80 votes Ms. Marrero otherwise would have gotten, if those people had even otherwise bothered to vote. I think those voters just wanted to make a statement. I think elected officials shouldn't be allowed to put the public through this unnecessary expense. If you don't step down in a timely manner. The only other out should be if one dies. In any other instance, "Special elections" are like burning money.