The Art of Voting "No"

In local government, there’s an art to voting “no.”

Some people think a “no” vote means you’re being difficult or uncooperative. I see it differently. To me, a “no” vote is often a matter of principle, accountability, and careful consideration. It means I’ve read the proposal, asked the tough questions, and found that something doesn’t serve the people of Hayden as well as it should.

Some people I know have never voted "no" — and while that might sound nice on the surface, it raises an important question: Is every proposal really perfect? Leadership isn’t about agreeing for the sake of appearances. It’s about thinking critically and standing firm, even when it’s unpopular.

There's another misconception that one person voting “no” will stop a project. In a council of four, it takes three votes to block anything. What a “no” does mean is that someone is paying attention, defending your tax dollars, and standing up for your rights.

I don’t vote “no” to slow progress — I do it occasionally to ensure progress is done the right way, with transparency, fairness, and respect for the people we serve.

That’s not obstruction. That’s integrity.

Sandra White

sandy4hayden@gmail.com