🗳️ Too Many Candidates, Not Enough Votes: How Splitting the Vote Can Cost Us Local Elections

Let’s talk about the uncomfortable truth nobody wants to say out loud:

When too many people run for the same seat especially from the same political circle or community we end up dividing the vote and handing power to the opposition.

It’s happening right now in Wilson.

💥 What Is Vote-Splitting?

Vote-splitting is when two or more candidates with similar platforms or values run in the same race, and instead of one of them winning, they split the support between them, allowing a less popular or less representative candidate to win with just a slice of the vote.

In local elections where turnout is already low this can be devastating.

🧩 Here’s How It Plays Out:

Let’s say:

• 3 candidates from the same community or party are running.

• Each gets 300–400 votes.

• But a single candidate from the other side runs and gets 800 votes.

➡️ They win—without even earning a majority.

Just a plurality is enough. And just like that, we lose a seat that could’ve worked for us.

🏙️ Wilson Is Seeing It Right Now

Wilson has several candidates with overlapping values are filing to run many of them good, smart, well-meaning people.

But here’s the hard truth: When we don’t coordinate, we cancel each other out. What could’ve been a clear win turns into a numbers game that works against us. And it’s not just about winning it’s about building long-term power, holding people accountable, and making sure our voices are unified, not scattered.

🚦So What Should We Do?

Be Strategic, Not Just Passionate

We need people who care about our communities to run but we also need strategy. Passion without planning doesn’t build power it just drains votes.

Talk to Each Other

Candidates and community leaders need to sit down and have real conversations. Ask:

• Who has the name recognition?

• Who has the fundraising ability?

• Who is best positioned to win right now?

Support the Strongest Path Forward

Even if your favorite person isn’t the one running, we need to think bigger than personal loyalty. We need to think about progress.

Unity matters more than pride.

✊🏽 We Can’t Afford to Play Ourselves

This election matters especially for Wilson’s future. City council decisions affect housing, jobs, police accountability, education funding, and more.

If we want real change, we need real discipline. Vote-splitting is not just a political problem it’s a people problem.

Let’s fix it together.

📌 Stay tuned to WOKE for candidate spotlights, voter info, and tools to help you make an informed decision without falling into the trap.

#StayWOKE #WilsonNC #VoteSmart #LocalElectionsMatter #UnifyTheVote