Driving around Lynchburg over the past few weeks has reminded me that the term “at-large” (in connection with City Council) has really become an anomaly.

Signs advertising the eight candidates tend to be posted in areas where they are most likely to receive votes. When you think about it, that makes Tuesday’s at-large election nothing but an extension of the ward system.

Then there was the non-appearance by the three members of the Republican slate for a voters’ forum held in White Rock Hill (Ward II). Since these gentlemen don’t expect to get many votes from that section of town, perhaps they didn’t deem the event worth their time.  But shouldn’t an “at-large” council member represent everyone?

The possibility that Liberty University students might vote en masse for virtually the same three candidates poses another challenge to the current system.

Don’t get me wrong—the law says that college students in Virginia can vote in their local elections. I have no idea whether the Liberty turnout will be as large or influential this spring as it was last fall in the victory of Republican Scott Garrett over Democratic incumbent Shannon Valentine for a House of Delegates seat. Nor do I begrudge the LU students their right to vote as they choose.

Still, in my opinion, the traditionally slim turnout in City Council elections makes the at-large race vulnerable to “gang-voting” by special interests, and that doesn’t benefit the city.

This time around, it’s Liberty University. Next time, it could be some other group.

In a recent op ed piece, LU chancellor Jerry Falwell Jr. declared he had no intention of trying to “take over” Lynchburg, and I tend to believe him. But if the three candidates who seem most likely to be sympathetic to his position on growth, taxes, etc. wind up all being elected, the effect will be the same. Moreover, they need to please only one consitutency to win, not the entire city.

So here’s a modest proposal. What if voters in these at-large elections were limited to voting for one candidate, instead of three? Then, the top three vote-getters could be declared the winners.

To me, Lynchburg is better served by a diverse council than one packed with members espousing one ideology, no matter what that ideology happens to be.

I’m not sure what what the state election laws say about this, or if it could even be done. But I’d love to hear what you think.