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Pine Bluff Mayor Carl A. Redus Jr. may get a break from a state law adopted in 2011 if he runs for re-election later this year. The rules have changed since he first ran in 2004.
To win that first race, Redus only had to receive 50 percent plus one vote of those cast. He has the possibility of winning re-election with only 40 percent of the votes cast – a plurality – because of the 2011 law.
Redus was asked Thursday following a civic club presentation if he planned to seek re-election. It was a natural question in a political year, especially with six announced candidates for mayor, including two incumbent aldermen.
He did not reply in the affirmative or negative, simply stating, “I think it is a foregone conclusion I will seek re-election.” Sometimes it’s is tough to pin a politician down, even when they have been talking about their track record for almost 30 minutes.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Arkansas Code Annotated 7-5-106 addresses runoff elections for both municipal and county candidates. Section (B)(i) states that “a candidate who receives a plurality of 40 percent of the votes cast must obtain at least 20 percent more of the votes cast than the second-place candidate for the municipal office to avoid a runoff general election against the second-place candidate.”
If the margin is less than 20 percent, the runoff between the top two candidates will be held three weeks following the general election. A runoff is also required if the top two receive the same number of votes or tie.
The lawmakers covered their bases. If one candidate receives the highest number of votes, but not a majority of the votes, and two candidates receive the same number of votes for the next highest number of votes cast, a tie exists. The county election commissioners would then draw lots to determine who will be in the runoff.
As one could expect, the candidate receiving the majority of the votes cast for the office in the runoff would be declared elected.
However, if there is a tie in the runoff, the election commission shall determine the winner by lot at an open public meeting and in the presence of the two candidates.
The law was adopted, we were told, to avoid the expense of runoff elections. We like the idea of a winner of a majority, not a plurality. A majority seems, well, more American.
Short one vote
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The Pine Bluff School Board served Superintendent Jerry Payne with a termination notice, effective June 30, on Wednesday morning. His contract said he could be fired “without good cause effective June 30 of any year of this contract by giving 120 days written notice.”
Board members met Tuesday evening in a called meeting to discuss Payne’s contract during a brief executive session. The board didn’t take any action after the executive session behind closed doors.
The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act requires a public vote after directors reach a decision in an executive session. Section 25-19-106 (c) (4) of the act states “No resolution, ordinance, rule, contract, regulation, or motion considered or arrived at in executive session will be legal unless, following the executive session, the public body reconvenes in public session and presents and votes on the resolution, ordinance, rule, contract, regulation or motion.”
Since the board did not vote in public, Payne’s termination with 120 days notice may be in question, if our calendar is correct. That’s why reporters often furnish boards and commissions with copies of the FOIA.