Time to change how we fill legislative vacancies

Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007

Time to change how we fill legislative vacancies

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When the General Assembly opens its next session, 50 percent of District 39 will include representatives not elected to their seats by the people.

I appeal to the county delegation to propose changes to the state law that empowers a small group in the party central committees to handpick nominees for the governor to rubberstamp.

As a nominee for the vacant District 39 seat in the House of Delegates, I decided to withdraw from participation because the system is broken and unfair.

A special election should be held to fill vacancies, to allow the people to select their representatives in a true democratic process.

The state law enacted during a period when only white male landowners could vote, does not reflect the changing demographics of our county and District 39.

For the next three years, Montgomery will not have an African-American state senator, and District 39 doesn’t have an African American in its delegation.

The people must demand that real changes are implemented in how we protect the people’s right to democratic representation.

Arthur H. Jackson Jr., North Potomac

The writer is president of the New Democratic Alliance think tank and a resident of District 39.