IF Council May Reconsider Runoff Races

Just about one-month after the city of Blackfoot decided to ditch runoff races for council seat elections, Idaho Falls leaders are revisiting their city’s runoff ordinance.

Council members discussed the issue at a work session on Tuesday morning.

Since residents voted in favor of runoff elections in 2005, the city has never actually had to hold one. But still, officials have a lot of concerns, and it’s not just the $30,000 price tag.

“It’s really difficult to do,” said Bobbie Jockumsen, Bonneville County Elections supervisor.

Jockumsen doesn’t even like to talk about the possibility of a runoff election.

“It’s the same precincts and everything, so we just run the election over again, basically for that race,” said Jockumsen.

City council members in Idaho Falls are talking about reconsidering the city’s ordinances that say if council and mayoral candidates fail to get a majority of votes, the top two have to face off again within 30 days.

“The public were in favor of runoff elections,” said Craig Lords, director of municipal services.

But that was 2005. These days, tight budgets may have taxpayers feeling differently about the round two race that Jockumsen said would cost $30,000 to $40,000.

“With the state paying for all elections now, we have no budgeted money for elections and so if there are runoffs, what do we budget?” said Lords.

Lords suggested to City Council that they might take a look at the ordinance.

“The other argument is, if you have a run-off and you’re voting for an alternate candidate, does that give him more support than before?” he said. “In reality it hasn’t changed many elections.”

The short time frame is tough for the county, which would run the election. Jockumsen said they’re left with about six days to get ready.

“Sending absentees overseas … it’s impossible to get them back, so that disenfranchises those voters,” said Jockumsen.

Before the 2005 referendum for runoffs, Idaho Falls required 50 percent of the vote plus one to win.

Tuesday’s discussions are very preliminary, but city leaders said there’s a good possibility the issue will come before city council and the public will have a chance to weigh in.

In January, Blackfoot City Council members decided to eliminate runoffs for council races, but continue to require the super-majority for mayoral elections.