Cambridge City won’t have an election this year. It might not be good for voter choice, but it saves money for the town, time for potential voters and effort for candidates.
Incumbent councilors Debbie McGinley and Jim McLane were the only two candidates who filed before the Aug. 1 deadline. They both filed as independents.
Their two seats were the only two eligible for an election in 2025 for the five-member council. Council terms are staggered to help ensure a smooth transition.
The council’s other current members include Mike Amick, Gary Cole and Jim King.
Because of the lack of candidates, Wayne County’s Election Board passed a resolution on Aug. 5 so Cambridge City doesn’t have to conduct an election this year.
If towns have a contested election when there are no county, state or federal races, they’re responsible for covering the election costs. Ten years ago, Cambridge City paid $1,086 for an election.
The timing for cost savings is helpful for town leaders, who are currently working on their 2026 budget. They are looking for potential cuts after Gov. Mike Braun and the Indiana House and Senate approved a property tax relief bill that will reduce some funding sources for local government.
Cambridge City was the only Wayne County town with a potential 2025 ballot. Town council previously rejected county officials’ request to modify its election schedule to be on the county/Congressional or Congress/presidential election cycle.
Councilors said they prefer focusing on local issues, keeping candidates from being overlooked among regional, state and national races that receive more attention, and separating as much as possible from partisan politics.
A version of this article will appear in the August 13 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.