Santa Rosa County has next week – March 27 – a vote to extend the half-cent sales tax for schools. The tax expires next Oct. and provides $7 million to schools.
I favor the tax, but that being said, I don’t like these special elections that are obviously done so that there will be a weak – but favorable – voter turnout. In Escambia County, a special election can cost $80000-$100000. I’m not sure what the figures are for Santa Rosa, but let’s assume at least half that – $40K-$50K.
There is no reason the tax extension couldn’t have been voted on in the Nov. general election or even the last House Dist. 3 election.
These off-season votes are a political tactic that undermines the electoral process. The other component is to mention the vote as little as possible. Don’t inform the public and hope that there is no organized opposition. Turn down speaking engagements. Keep mailouts to a minimum. And sneak the vote in.
This is how the wet/dry vote was done. Escambia County’s local option sales tax vote last year.
Why the secrecy? Why play the games? Does the end really justify the means?
