What is a characteristic of non-partisan elections for state/local officials?

Non-partisan elections for state and local officials are designed to minimize the importance of political party affiliation in the electoral process. This characteristic allows voters to focus more on the individual candidates' qualifications, policies, and ideas rather than their party backgrounds. In such elections, candidates do not have to run with an explicit party label, which encourages a more direct evaluation of their platforms and abilities.

This approach can lead to increased voter participation from those who may feel alienated by traditional party politics and foster a more inclusive political environment. As a result, non-partisan elections are often viewed as a way to reduce partisanship and part of the focus on collaborative governance at local levels.

The other options center around various aspects of party involvement, which are specifically counter to the principles of non-partisan elections. Mentioning party affiliation or requiring candidates to be tied to a political party contradicts the essence of non-partisan contests.