Public commenter presents data on ballot ordering and nonpartisan elections; council discusses implications for federal employees

During the public-comment period on April 28, Theodore Peace of 85 Glenwood addressed the council with data he said showed ballot-order effects and urged consideration of nonpartisan elections and randomized ballot ordering to level the playing field.

Peace said he analyzed eight biannual election cycles across six municipalities and found that top-listed candidates won at an elevated rate (87.5% election rate for top-listed candidates in his sample) and that bottom-listed candidates performed worse. He argued these findings create a statistical disadvantage for candidates listed low on the ballot and suggested Portsmouth consider nonpartisan ballot ordering to encourage broader participation, including by federal employees.

Nut graf: Peace said nonpartisan elections and randomized ballot order could reduce the advantage conferred by placement on a ballot. Councilors questioned the data set27s size, local applicability and whether correlation equaled causation.

Key points from the presentation and Q&A - Peace said nonpartisan Middletown had higher candidate participation after shifting from partisan races. He argued top-listing confers a measurable advantage. - A councilor observed the sample size and local variables (ballot initiatives, local trends) may confound results and challenged whether the data showed causation or only correlation. - Peace acknowledged limits in his sample (48 election races examined back to roughly 2005) and said federal employees can serve in nonpartisan races, though he cautioned the Office of Special Counsel has guidance regarding partisan political committee endorsements that could affect federal employees' ability to run.

Ending: Councilors thanked Peace and debated data interpretation and next steps; no formal council action occurred.