1965-2005: Research reveals under-utilized power of African-American votes, politics
The African-American Community Forum
Part I. Profile of Washington's population, registered voters,

elector votes and governing

power of City Council.

In 2005, the total population for the City of Washington was 4,207. African Americans were 2,554 or 60.7 percent; White Americans were 1,599 or 38.0 percent and Asians, Hispanics and Multiracial 54 or 1.3 percent. Of the city's total population of 4,207, the eligible voters to cast votes in a city election were 3,054 or 72.6 percent. The active registered voters in the City of Washington on October 24, 2005 were 2,319; according to the Georgia Secretary of State voter Registration System. Registered voters in the city consisted of African Americans 1,302 or 56.2 percent; White Americans 1,009 or 43.5 percent; Asians, Hispanics and Multiracial 8 or 0.3 percent. The 835 or 27.3 percent of unregistered voters, primarily African Americans, can make a significant difference between who wins or loses an election in the City of Washington.

In District 1, the struggle for political power and personal recognition is not among different ethnic groups but among different African American socio-economic classes: upper-income, middle-income, lowincome and no-income. The struggles for power within District 1 appear more often to be based on personal issues, personalities and limited perception rather than on community issues and needs of the people. Discussion about issues of poverty, education, economics and political reform appear to be missing from the election politics of District 1.

The people of the City of Washington cast their votes to elect a City Mayor and a City Council who are collectively charged with governance of the city affairs, including the establishment of city ordinances, rules and regulations as well as overseeing the management and operating functions of the various city's departments which are under daily supervisory responsibility of managers and appointed officers. The Mayor as Chief Executive Officer of the City and presiding Officer of the City Council is elected to office by a plurality vote of the city's registered voters, casting vote ballots in the city election. The elected mayor becomes the representative of all the people of Washington, Georgia, at proceedings of the City Council and serves as its presiding officer. With respect to the election of the City Council, the same registered voters are divided into two separate and distinct districts, which largely correspond to racial-ethnic neighborhoods, for the purpose of electing three political representatives from each district. In District 1 as of October 24, 2005, there were 1,039 registered voters: 954 or 91.8 percent African Americans, 81 or 7.8 percent White Americans and 4 or 0.4 percent multiracial. In District 2 there were 1,280 registered voters: 348 or 27.2 percent African Americans, 928 or 72.5 percent White Americans, 2 or 0.2 percent Asians and 2 or 0.2 percent Multiracial. The registered voters in each of the two City Council District can elect 3 representatives who must be certified residents living within the respective districts. Therefore, the people of each City Council District have 3 elected representatives with 3 standing votes to represent the people interest on all issues and transactions before the City Council of Washington, Georgia.

Although City Council members are elected by district to ensure the interest of their constituents, the Mayor as Chief Executive Officer of the City and presiding officer of the City Council is elected to office by a plurality of the city-wide registered voters, casting vote ballots in the city election, to be the elected representative of all the city-wide people on the City Council of Washington, Georgia.

During the primary election season in the summer and fall of 2003, the then six sitting elected City Council members, without the present of the sitting elected Mayor nor a referendum from the people of Washington, decided it was time to update the 1958 City Charter after 45 years of it use as the authoritative source document for governing the affairs of the City of Washington, Georgia. According the September 3, 2003 minutes of the City Council, "the City Administrator distributed to those present copies of the proposed changes to the current city charter. The City Administrator explained that changes must be presented at two consecutive regular meetings of the council before approval. Proposed changes will bring current charter into compliance with state law, change obsolete wording and specify actions to fill vacancies in the governing body. Those in attendance were advised that the current city charter may be accessed through the internet at www.municode.com."

(continued next week)