Well isn't that special?

The Daily News editorial board weighed in on the special elections for City Council that will take place in November. Not unexpectedly, they join others who are opposed to the idea of leaving the nomination of candidates up to ward leaders.

Towards the end of the piece, they put forward an idea that I really hadn't considered:

Democratic Chairman Bob Brady could suggest both parties opt out of the process and let candidates file independently, to be listed on November's ballot.

Of course, they then go on to describe that idea as "laughable," which is probably why no one else has written it. But it kind of makes you wonder, aside from the fact that it totally would not be in the interests of the ward leaders and the party leaders to give up this power, why not?

Ok, so there'd be logistical problems. But considering that our next mayor will most likely be chosen by far less than 50% of the voters, why not just let any candidate who can gather the requisite number of signatures get themselves on the ballot as whatever party they want. Whoever gets the most votes overall, Republican, Democrat, Green, Independent, Socialist, whatever, is the winner.

Sure, the process might still be slanted towards the candidates who would have gotten the party's nomination anyway, but at least people would have a choice.