OHPA CRAC votes 6-2 to recommend non-partisan OHPA elections

Submitted by Michael Harrison

June 14, 2016 9:49 a.m.

At its May 23, 2016 meeting, the Charter Revision Advisory Committee of the Ocean Highway and Port Authority (OHPA CRAC) voted 6-2 in favor of recommending that OHPA adopt Non-Partisan elections. Background to the discussions can be found at http://fernandinaobserver.org/2016/04/04/partisan-elections-and-ohpa-an-opinion

This decision provides strong guidance to OHPA on an issue that has dogged it for almost two years. If OHPA chooses to adopt the recommendations of, a charter change included in a Local Bill could be enacted by the Florida Legislature in its next session.

The Committee was established in December 2015 by OHPA under pressure from Nassau County's Legislative Delegation (Rep. Adkins and Sen. Bean) (http://fernandinaobserver.org/2015/12/08/nassau-legislative-delegation-postpones-ohpa-charter-actions-for-now/)

Making the OHPA election Non-Partisan will allow all voters in Nassau County to participate in OHPA elections, regardless of their political party of affiliation. In turn, this is expected to increase the diversity of candidates for office, and to build a stronger relationship between OHPA and the community that it serves. However, this change would not affect the current election cycle which will see OHPA's elections on a Partisan basis.

Watch this space for 'next steps' at OHPA meetings …. Meanwhile, thanks to Fernandina Observer readers for supporting the elimination of an unnecessary restriction to the basic principle of 'one person, one vote'.