For a future election, the doors at Jefferson City Hall could open sooner to accommodate candidates waiting in line for the first day of filing.
A discussion about the subject at the Wednesday morning meeting of the council's administration committee resulted in council members sparring over the rules surrounding candidate filing in municipal elections.
Two council members -- Laura Ward and Mike Lester -- asked that the process for determining the order of how candidates are listed on future ballots be reviewed.
The city currently has no policy in place for determining the order and adheres to an "honor system" among those filing. Candidates are listed in the order they arrive at City Hall, even if they arrive before the offices are officially open.
Three of the four council members who voiced opposition to changing the honor system on Wednesday had previously used it to gain first positions on the ballot in their respective races occurring April 4.
Council members Ron Fitzwater, Derrick Spicer and Scott Spencer camped overnight at City Hall to be first in line Dec. 6 when filing opened; they had gained access indoors using their government-issued key cards.
Spencer told the News Tribune on Dec. 6 "we would have offered the same courtesy" to anyone outside.
Fitzwater, who is running unopposed for mayor, said there was no advantage. When asked why he arrived at midnight and stayed until filing opened around 8 a.m., he said, "to get first in line."
At the meeting Wednesday, tones grew harsh; voices became raised.
Lester had initially asked the committee to discuss creating a policy that implements a random drawing to determine who is listed first.
It wouldn't require a charter change, he said, but the council has the authority and the current system "isn't serving the city."
Lester motioned for the committee to consider a random drawing for filing.
Shouting at Lester, Fitzwater responded: "Is there a document?"
No, Lester said.
"So we can just come to all the public meetings now and make proposals without any documents?" Fitzwater asked.
Without enough committee support, Lester's motion fell short.
The committee is made up of council members Jon Hensley, Jack Deeken, Erin Wiseman, Fitzwater and Ward. Wiseman, who is chairwoman of the committee, was absent from Wednesday's meeting.
"This is a political stunt," Spencer said during more discussion at the meeting.
"How is this a political stunt?" Ward asked, who was serving as chairwoman in Wiseman's absence.
Spencer said any new policy would be reported and therefore call attention to some candidates running on April 4.
"I think you created a negative light on yourself by doing what you did ... I didn't even know that was a thing, and I don't know why we would oppose a random drawing," Ward said.
She later added: "It might encourage more people to file, because they think they could get first on the ballot. I don't think anyone should be camping out inside City Hall."
Deeken said he was opposed to considering a random drawing because he doesn't see any advantages to the current honor system in place.
"Then get up early and be there first in line. ... If you want to get the job, you have to work for it; it's just not handed to you," Deeken said.
If the council considers these changes, Deeken said, it should also consider having partisan elections, meaning a candidate would declare allegiance to a certain political party.
Lester then said city government wasn't the right place for partisanship.
The committee asked city staff to look into opening City Hall for anyone the night prior to the filing deadline, but also to consider the potential liability issues with doing so. Ward mentioned it might require a city staff member to remain in the building overnight to provide supervision.
The committee in the end motioned that a policy be drafted by staff for when City Hall can be accessed. It will be reviewed by the committee and if approved, presented before the full council for a final nod.