Please note: Over the next few days, the Amarillo Pioneer’s Editorial Board will be publishing recommendations for various races. In some races where multiple seats are up for grabs, recommendations may be spread out over several days. Please stay tuned to our website for recommendations and for a final list, which will be published next week.
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The Amarillo Pioneer Editorial Board strongly recommends voting AGAINST the City of Amarillo’s Proposition B.
Proposition B would expand the size of the City Council by two members, putting seven individuals on the board. This would be the largest expansion of the City Council since the 1950s.
While proponents of the measure have argued that Proposition B would ensure more representation and allow for a more level playing field for candidates, the truth is that Proposition B would likely just create two new openings for rehashed candidates from past cycles to win just enough votes to get into office. While some candidates may not have had large enough coalitions to win elections in 2023 against several strong candidates, a larger number of seats means that fewer strong candidates will contest each seat. In this scenario, these candidates who have small coalitions of supporters may actually have better shots at winning. Proposition B is therefore a roadmap to how candidates who voters don’t actually want in office – and who don’t represent the values of our city – could win their way into office essentially by default.
These considerations are perhaps now more relevant than ever, given the high-profile controversies our city has seen in recent years. Voters must ask themselves: Is now really a good time to lower the threshold for being elected?
Just say no. Our five member system is working fine and has worked fine for almost 70 years. There’s no need to change it now.
Please note: An editorial board recommendation does not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the Amarillo Pioneer’s advertisers or staff. A recommendation of one candidate does not represent a criticism of other candidates running unless otherwise stated. Recommendations may be offered in additional races.