06/30/2026
Today, I received word that state legislators in Raleigh have again moved to make city council elections in Kannapolis partisan and to happen in even numbered years.
I will again state - I am firmly against this.
Partisan elections in our city will force partisanship into our daily city council activities. Actions of our council will become what’s best for “the party” rather than for us. A partisan label will immediately become the most obvious thing about a candidate, rather than what they are running on. Any candidate running for office will be forced to defend their party choice rather than advocating for their own personal stances. It will also force our elections to hold partisan primaries, meaning anyone registered as unaffiliated, you will HAVE to register with a party unless you are able to obtain enough signatures to run as unaffiliated. Even if you hate both political parties but dream of being a public servant, you will have to make a choice.
This will also move elections to even numbered years, placing our mayoral and city council elections at the very bottom of the ballot along with voting for president, senators, congress, governor, attorney general, and the list can go on. This will also give every council member an extra unelected year on their term.
This is not the right move for our city and I hope that our local leaders will stand with me in opposing it. I expect this to happen or change quickly.
