City officials will consider a request to require all city property rights voters to cast their city-election ballots by mail. First consideration is Tuesday, Aug. 23.

McMinnville’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen has approved creation of an ordinance that would require all city property rights voters to cast their city-election ballots by mail.

The measure passed was 4-2.

Mayor Ryle Chastain, Vice Mayor Everett Brock and Aldermen Steve Harvey and Sally Brock voted in favor of creating the ordinance. Aldermen Zach Sutton and Rachel Kirby voted against. Alderman Stacey Harvey was absent.

In attendance was Warren County election administrator Susie Davenport, who again outlined reasons why the request was made, including to make record keeping cleaner and easier and make elections less expensive. “I guess this comes down to if this qualifies as voter suppression by making it more difficult,” said Kirby. According to Davenport, the towns of Morrison, Centertown, and Viola are in the middle of their approval process and the measure is all-or-nothing with McMinnville yet to be on board with the change.

“If the other cities are doing it, we don’t want to be a hold out,” said Sally Brock.

Sutton stated, “In terms of voter suppression, I am concerned about that. In 1975, there’s a reason why they put them in. It’s because they are taxpayers and they deserve a right to vote. I have a hard time taking that vote away. I understand the difficulties with the more efforts you have to do. I understand the expense of the activation fee, but it comes down to the right to vote.” “They still have the right to vote,” said Chastain. Davenport stated, “We are not taking away their right to vote.” She also stated that doing this might actually prompt participation from property rights voters who do not vote.

Sutton disagreed with Davenport’s assertion that restricting one’s voting options might somehow prompt participation and added, “If we are talking about increasing voter participation, then let’s play devil’s advocate. Why not do this for everyone and all elections?”

Said Kirby, “I don’t think this is a big deal, but voting is such a big deal.”

“With all due respect, I’m not concerned with the effort or cost,” said Everett Brock. “I think this gets down to what Zach and Rachel were saying. Does it tend to keep people from voting if they could vote anytime they wanted to rather than just the one way and one time? That does concern me some. I understand that it does help you guys, but at the same time, I don’t want to be in a situation where we’re making it more difficult for them to vote.”

Everett asked Davenport how many of the 174 McMinnville property rights voters reside outside the city of McMinnville.

“I don’t have that number in my head, Everett. I’m sorry,” said Davenport.

To be in effect before the November election, all municipalities must approve the ordinances before Sept. 9. However, the city of McMinnville’s regular sessions are Aug. 23 and Sept 13.

“We will have first read on Aug. 23,” said Chastain. “If it passes that reading, we will schedule a special called session.”