Runoff election ordinance tabled by Idaho Falls

The Idaho Falls City Council is going to keep the run-off election system in place. A few months ago, the council appeared ready to drop the run-off ordinance. The council unanimously tabled the ordinance Thursday night,which means they could eventually bring it back but only if they have public comment first.

The current ordinance said city council members and the mayor have to win by 50 percent plus one, if not run-off elections are required.In this last election, three city council seats had run-off races. Councilmember Barbara Ehardt now holds one of those seats and she says run-off races are a good thing.

“The incumbents have an advantage and so if you get multiple candidates the incumbents always win so runoffs level the playing field,” said Ehardt.

People against runoffs said they elections can cost the city money and there is low voter turnout. The city has required runoff elections since 2005.