No

In a time when political campaigns often resemble battlegrounds for deep-pocketed donors, West Windsor’s NonPartisan governance stands out as a beacon of local democracy. For over 30 years it has helped to ensure that our local elections remain true to the will of its residents, free from the overreach of external money and outside influences.

This worked well until 2023, when one partisan group of West Windsor local candidates was not only endorsed by a party but received large amounts of campaign money and support from that political party from both outside and inside West Windsor.  This violated the spirit of nonpartisanship for the first time.  Now the same group is behind the campaign to make us partisan, using their own unique trampling of NonPartisan principals to question them for everybody.  NonPartisan ideals worked for 30 years and for many sets of mixed slates of candidates.  With the defeat of this ballot question, West Windsor voters will send a strong message that we want to Keep West Windsor NonPartisan.

 

The Concept of Nonpartisan Governance

Nonpartisan governance refers to a system where political candidates run for office without any formal affiliation to a political party. In West Windsor, this approach has not been merely theoretical but is practiced with a deep commitment to maintaining local integrity. Candidates in local elections do not run on a political party platform, which inherently reduces the incentive for national, state and county political organizations to pour money into local races.

 

Limiting External Influence Through Local Focus

One of the primary ways nonpartisan governance in West Windsor deters outside money is by focusing the elections on local issues. When candidates are evaluated based on their stances on local concerns—such as municipal taxes, local laws, infrastructure development, and community services—there is less interest from external entities whose goals often align with broader political agendas rather than local needs.  By maintaining a local issue-oriented campaign environment, West Windsor ensures that its elections remain about the community, for the community.

 

The Influence of Party Money in Local Governments

Party money has increasingly played a role in local government elections across the United States. Studies have shown that party-affiliated donors often contribute to local campaigns as a means of influencing decisions on issues such as land use, local taxation, and municipal contracts. When local candidates rely on these external funds, their policy decisions can become aligned with the interests of their donors rather than their constituents.

 

Stop Divisive Party Politics from Invading West Windsor!

The presence of party money, aid and influence in local elections can lead to a polarization of issues that are otherwise nonpartisan in nature, exacerbating divisions within communities.

West Windsor’s approach to nonpartisan governance serves as a model for other communities seeking to protect their local elections from the corrosive influence of outside money and interests. By focusing on local issues, strict anti-pay to play laws, promoting transparency, and encouraging community engagement, West Windsor’s NonPartisan government has created an environment where the voice of the residents remains paramount.