Sanford: Times have changed. And they demand a return to mayoral runoffs.
Otis Sanford
Otis Sanford is professor emeritus of Journalism and Strategic Media at the University of Memphis and political commentator for WATN-TV ABC24 News. Contact him at o.sanford@memphis.edu. Follow him on Twitter @otissanford.
In 1991, U.S. District Judge Jerome Turner said runoffs in Memphis elections were designed to keep Black candidates from becoming mayor. And he was correct at the time.
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“This is a crucial election. And it’s important that voters get it right. It’s also important that turnout starts to match the interest. So undecided voters, make up your mind.”
The runoff what-if and other takeaways from election night
With no runoff to face, Paul Young will become the next Memphis mayor with just over 27% of the vote. And that doesn’t even factor in the low turnout for Thursday’s election.
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