We are writing in reference to Nick Roth’s article in June 9’s Cape Gazette about the workshop on allowing nonresident voting in Lewes. Although we are glad the Cape Gazette covered this important meeting, several newsworthy and important points were not mentioned in the article.
First, this was a very well-attended meeting, generating a lot of interest in the community. Roth implied that the speakers were evenly divided on this issue. In fact, the majority of speakers, including several nonresident property owners, spoke against allowing nonresident voting in Lewes.
Several attendees noted that nonresident municipal voting is not allowed in 47 states, reflecting the fundamental principle of “one person, one vote.” Additional concerns included the need to preserve Lewes’s small-town character, and the prospect of non-human entities such as LLCs and out-of-state corporations being allowed to vote. Both Lewes residents and nonresident property owners noted that nonresident property owners have many ways to participate in Lewes life, including serving on various committees and voting in BPW elections.
Speakers also pointed out that nonresident voting is not allowed in 47 out of 50 states for good reason. It goes against the long-established principle of “one person, one vote,” in which voting is determined by residency, not property ownership. Voting based on property ownership allows individuals to vote in more than one municipality, rendering some citizens “more equal” than others.
Finally, Roth failed to mention that nonresident property owners were among those who spoke out against allowing the idea, joining with other residents in saying this is a very big change that risks changing the character of Lewes: from a town with a beach, to a tourist beach with a town.
We urge the city to be very cautious as it continues to explore the idea of allowing nonresidents to vote in city elections. It will result in a major change in the city’s character, not just a change in its charter. Finally, we find it disturbing that such a big change as this can be made by a vote of the city council, even if it is strongly opposed by the actual residents of Lewes.
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