Write-Ins Crucial to City

Probably nowhere has the need for write-in candidacies been more clearly demonstrated in recent years than in San Diego County.

In 1982, businessman Johnnie R. Crean spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to win the Republican nomination for U.S. representative in the 43rd Congressional District. But in the process, Crean falsely claimed the support of groups he did not have and made so many specious charges about his opponents that his image was badly tarnished. Even the most loyal of Republicans did not want to vote for him.

So, a write-in campaign was organized by former Carlsbad Mayor Ron Packard, who had finished second in the primary. In a historic grass-roots campaign, Packard defeated Crean and the Democratic nominee to win the congressional seat he still occupies.

Without the ability to write in the name of a candidate not on the ballot, voters in the 43rd Congressional District would have been forced to send a man to Congress they did not want representing them.

Then there was the 1984 San Diego mayor’s race. By November, many weary voters had concluded they did not want to vote for either Mayor Roger Hedgecock or challenger Dick Carlson. But, under the City Charter, there was no option for a write-in.

It may be idle speculation to think about how things might have turned out differently had a write-in campaign been a possibility. But a strong candidate such as former Councilwoman Maureen O’Connor, Assemblyman Larry Stirling or one of the current council members might well have offered the public a more palatable alternative than those they were stuck with.

The City Council’s Rules Committee voted last week to amend the City Charter and allow write-in candidates in primary elections. Committee members chose not to grant the same opportunity to voters in general elections, saying they did not want disgruntled losing candidates to muddy up the works by running as write-ins.

But, as in the case of the 1982 congressional race and last year’s mayor’s race, it’s the general election where the write-in candidacy is often needed most. Events that occur during the primary or between the primary and the general election can be the catalyst for a successful write-in campaign.

When the full council takes up the issue, it should authorize write-ins in all city elections. The write-in is a time-honored safeguard in the American political system, and voters here should have full access to it.