Write-In Votes and Municipal Log Up For a Vote
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When the Oxford Commissioners met on Monday, November 24, the agenda was packed. Aside from the dismissal of the Town's Police Chief for cause, the upcoming election and flood mitigation were up for discussion and explanation. The issue of a municipal log will be discussed on December
The meeting opened with a discussion among Commissioners regarding Resolution 2501. The ordnance is below:
The discussion revolved around codifying state law as it applies to Oxford elections.
There were also other discreet changes to the charter regarding elections. One highlight of the changes was the elimination of the write in vote. It was the change that caused the most discussion during public comment.
Resident Russell Gray suggested that elimination of the write in vote could lead to a situation where two candidates were running and one either withdrew from the race OR died during the election, leaving residents with only one candidate and no choices.
At this point, Commissioner Norm Bell said he thought that the Commission determined during a previous discussion that they would allow ballots to have a line at the bottom for write in's.
Peter Clancy then spoke up that he was concerned that the Commissioners didn't concur on the change of the rule.
Other discussions centered around the ten day rule to certify a write in ballot. Dan Kordell expressed his concerns that after regular candidates registered to run, another candidate could run a "secret campaign" for write it and thus undermine the candidates who registered by the 30 day deadline.
Jody Ware, who had previously served on the town's election commission, warned that the addition of the write in ballot may change the timelines for elections.
After discussion, the Commissioners voted on and passed Resolution 2501 with the idea that the write in voting rule would be reviewed.
The Commissioners reminded the public that they have a work session scheduled for Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at 6p.m. in regard to implementing a supplemental voter registration list to expand voter eligibility to allow citizens who are not domiciled in town to vote in town elections.
No votes are taken during work sessions.
