Eden Prairie's GOP endorsement    Star-Tribune September 5, 2006

In an article regarding nonpartisan elections, Eden Prairie Mayor Nancy Tyra-Lukens calls the Republican Party's endorsement of one of the city's mayoral candidates "asinine, irresponsible and insulting" (July 26 Star Tribune West). Her comments are ridiculous and indicative of the widespread misunderstanding of nonpartisan "basis" elections in general.

The question posed in the article on the Eden Prairie mayoral race was, "Does party backing taint city elections?" Absolutely not. Our research and surveys clearly show that party affiliations are extremely helpful to voters in identifying candidates in any election. Parties help research candidates and also scrutinize them once elected -- just ask Joe Lieberman. All candidates have political leanings, whether they announce them or not. Isn't it better that the voters have this knowledge rather than be kept in the dark by the facade of nonpartisanship?

The idea that "partisanship" taints elections is a harmful myth. Blind partisanship for purely political purposes definitely taints governance, but our political party system offers voters the most practical way by far to gain knowledge of the various candidates and cast an informed, meaningful vote.

Partisan politics is a product of reality in a free society and exists at all levels and in all branches of government. It can NOT simply be wished away, as Madison describes in the Federalist Papers: "As long as the reason of man continues fallible, and he is at liberty to exercise it, different opinions will be formed. The latent causes of faction are thus sown in the nature of man."

The notion that local governments are not affected by partisan politics is ill-conceived and based more on ignorance, irrational optimism and personal agendas than on reality. You don't have to look far to see that local politicians are as entrenched in partisan politics as any others.

Nonpartisan elections deny this reality and, unfortunately, the voters have been paying the price. The fact is, the nonpartisan basis elections that were foisted on the unsuspecting voters conceal the party designations of the candidates, restrict choices, stifle debate and discourse, limit accountability and weaken the voice of the people.

Partisan basis elections, on the other hand, place voters in a much stronger position to influence the political process. A partisan basis election is simply an election format whereby the top vote-getters from each party (and Independents) advance to the general election.

Partisan basis elections also inform the voters of the political affiliations of the candidates (which is very important, given the vast array of political philosophies, views and agendas) and guarantee that each political party can be represented in the general election. Such elections provide for a healthier diversity of viewpoints and stronger, more open elections. Who could oppose informing the voters and giving them a real choice on the ballot?

Whether or not candidates receive endorsements or contributions from political parties, which the law allows and the First Amendment protects, they still are considered by statutory definition to be members of political parties, as they too are voting citizens.

The time has come to remove the nonpartisan masks and restore true democratic principles to our city elections.

ANDY CILEK, EDEN PRAIRIE

Matt Marchetti, North St. Paul

Co-founders, Minn. Voters Alliance