Discussion and Direction: 2019/2020 2021/2022 Election Overview and Timeline Review

In 2015, Flagstaff voters amended the City Charter to hold City elections on the days provided for by Arizona statutes. Arizona Revised Statutes § 16-204 prescribes the following election dates:

Primary Elections - fall of even-numbered years

• the first Tuesday in August

General Elections - fall of even-numbered years

• the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November

Special Elections - odd or even years

• the second Tuesday in March
• the third Tuesday in May
• the first Tuesday in August
• the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November

Some election issues can only be decided at general elections while others can be decided on any of the four dates. Below is a list of the various types of elections and the dates that they may be held.

Primary Elections - Fall of Even Years Only (August)
Primary elections are held only when there are more than two candidates for each seat.

General Election Only - Fall of Even Years (November)
Regular Candidate Elections
General Obligation Bonds
Sales Tax

Special Elections - Odd or Even Years
Initiative, Referendum, or Recall
Charter Amendments
Regional Plan Adoption
Franchise
Permanent Adjustment of Expenditure Base Limitation

Charter Amendments:

The City Charter is the basic governing authority of the City and allows citizens to enact their own laws for their community, so long as they are not in conflict with State laws. Any amendment to the Charter requires approval by a majority of the qualified electors voting in the election. The last time the Charter was amended was in 2015.

A City Manager appointed Charter Review Committee is generally assembled to review and provide recommendations on possible amendments that should be forwarded to the voters. In 2015 the 15 member committee reviewed approximately 50 amendments, 19 of which were forwarded to the voters. There are approximately 30 remaining amendments (attached to this staff summary) that could be considered along with any others that may come from Council, staff, or the committee. All proposed amendments are fully vetted by staff and the City Attorney's Office.

2021/2022 General Election Timeline

Should the Council be considering a 2021 or 2022 special election, the time to begin preparing is now. The more time staff has to create a committee and allow ample time for them to evaluate and develop recommendations for the Council to consider is extremely helpful. A November 2021 special election must be called on or before July 6, 2021 which means recommendations to the Council regarding possible ballot measures need to be discussed and decided upon prior to that date. This does not leave much time to conduct a thorough evaluation and formulate final recommendations. 

An alternative would be to consider a spring 2022 election in March. A March 2022 election would need to be called in October which would allow for an additional three months to form a committee and review and formulate recommendations.

Financial Considerations

Should Council wish to hold a special charter election in either the fall of 2021 or spring of 2022 there will be expenses related to preparing for and conducting the election, as well as public outreach and education. These expenses need to be included in the upcoming budget process.

Election costs are based on the number of registered voters; at the last election, the City of Flagstaff had just shy of 52,000 registered voters. Coconino County Elections charges $2.50 per registered voter for an all mail ballot special election and $5.00 per registered voter for a polling place election. If a polling place election is held in conjunction with state, federal, or other county measures the cost is $2.00 per registered voter. There are also costs associated with the development and distribution of the publicity pamphlet.