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Local GOP, Gainesville City Council push back on calls to change electoral system
African-American, Latino leaders trying to end at-large voting
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Bill Johnson, a member of the Hall County Republican Party executive committee, speaks in support of at-large voting at the Gainesville City Council meeting on Tuesday. Gainesville’s at-large electoral system allows voters across the city to cast ballots for all candidates. - photo by Erin O. Smith
Local Republicans and Gainesville City Council members pushed back at a public meeting Tuesday against calls to change the city’s voting process, highlighting what has become a contentious campaign issue ahead of elections this fall. Bill Johnson, a member of the Hall County Republican Party executive committee, defended the current system by advocating for citywide representation, rather than by street, subdivision or specific demographic community. Echoing the position of most council members, Johnson said, “You represent the entire city of Gainesville.