Hopkinsville Mayor Wendell Lynch has vetoed an ordinance approved Tuesday night by city council to transition to non-partisan elections for city council seats.
The mayor confirmed the action to WHOP News Friday afternoon, meaning it will take eight votes, or a majority of members present plus one, by city council to override his veto. Tuesday night’s action passed on a 6-5 vote with Councilmember Jimmy Dossett absent.
Mayor Lynch reiterated he has been in favor of giving the public additional time for comment and for the community to become more informed on the process as his reasons for issuing the veto.
The ordinance in question would maintain the current ward system and the two top vote-getters in a ward-only non-partisan primary would advance to a citywide election in November, beginning in 2022.