We already fought this battle once, in the Libertarian Party's early days, and we eventually won it. There are always new battles to fight - why do we have to win the old ones again??!?

Double standard! There is nothing so jealously defended than a monopoly of power, even when shared between two factions...

If you can't win on your own merits....cheat! That's politics 101.

Isn't it just insane?! I swear, my jaw is hanging open involuntarily on a daily basis.

this system operates much like mayor/city councilmen or you have both?

(Good question, by the way).

what's a first selectman?

Precisely. Collusion collusion collusion

Exactly so. I wanted to scream when I read this!

Ask, and ye shall have and answer ;-)

The first selectman (sometimes selectwoman depending on the preference of the person holding the office) is the head of the board of selectmen in some New England towns.

Historically, the first was the selectman who received the largest number of votes during municipal elections or at town meeting. Most towns however, have chosen to elect the first selectman in a separate election, much like a mayor.

While the principle remains the same in most towns, the function has evolved differently. Traditionally, the first selectman acts as chief administrative officer. As with all politicians in New England, it was originally a part-time position. Most modern towns that have part-time first selectmen limit their function to chairing the board of selectmen and performing certain ceremonial duties. Actual administration of the town is handled by the town manager. In other towns, the first selectman acts as CEO of the town, much like a mayor, alone or in conjunction with a town manager who acts as a chief administrative officer.

In Connecticut, the first selectman is the chief executive and administrative officer of most towns with the Selectmen-Town Meeting form of government. Some towns, such as Woodbridge, elect their first selectmen to be the chief administrative officer of the town even though the position is technically part-time. The first selectman is also a voting member of the board of selectmen and can cast a tie breaking vote in the board of finance. In other towns, the position is full-time. In towns such as Beacon Falls, Bethany, Orange, and Simsbury, the losing first selectman candidate can earn a seat on the board of selectmen, depending on the number of votes he or she garners.

This is the one thing Republicans and Democrats agree on. They don't want to risk a third party gaining steam.

The fix is in. Now both major parties are involved in voter suppression.