15.C.
City Council Meeting - FINAL
- Meeting Date:
- 04/07/2015
- Co-Submitter:
- Anja Wendel, Senior Assistant City Attorney AW
- From:
- Elizabeth A. Burke, City Clerk
Information
TITLE:
Consideration of Election Dates for Future Municipal Elections
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Direct staff to prepare a ballot question to the voters at the November 2015 Special Election for Charter amendments to hold municipal elections in the fall of even-numbered years on dates consistent with state law.
Executive Summary:
The current City Charter calls for primary and general elections to be held on dates that are inconsistent with the four dates permitted by state law for holding elections. In 1997 an ordinance was adopted to clarify that the primary and general elections of the City would be held in the spring (March and May), the closest dates to those in the Charter. Beginning in 2014 all municipalities in Arizona were required to hold their candidate elections in the fall of even-numbered years regardless of charters; therefore, Flagstaff's 2014 elections, which would have normally been held in March and May, were held in August and November. A recent decision in the Court of Appeals determined that charters supersede state law; this decision was appealed and the Arizona Supreme Court has denied the request for review. Therefore, the question of when municipal elections are held in Flagstaff is a matter of local concern for charter cities; however, the City's Charter is still inconsistent with the four dates permitted for holding elections.
Financial Impact:
The staff-recommended action (fall even-numbered years) is the most cost-effective approach for holding municipal elections, currently at $2.00 per registered voter, along with additional expenses for publication/advertising, etc. The other options for spring of even-numbered years and spring/fall of odd-numbered years are:
- Mail-ballot election - $2.50 per registered voter, along with additional expenses.
- Polling place election - $5.00 per registered voter, along with additional expenses
Connection to Council Goal and/or Regional Plan:
COUNCIL GOALS:
8) Improve effectiveness of notification, communication, and engagement with residents, neighborhoods and businesses and about City services, programs, policies, projects and developments
8) Improve effectiveness of notification, communication, and engagement with residents, neighborhoods and businesses and about City services, programs, policies, projects and developments
Previous Council Decision on This:
Yes, the City Council reviewed the various dates at its Work Session of February 24, 2015, at which time the question was raised as to whether each election date could be forwarded to the voters. The answer to this question is yes, as will be summarized by the City Attorney's Office under separate cover.
Options and Alternatives:
1) Direct staff to place a question on the November 2015 ballot as recommended by staff;
2) Direct staff to place a different question on the November 2015 ballot;
3) Direct staff to place all four potential times for elections, or any combination thereof, on the November 2015 ballot;
4) Place any or all questions on the ballot at a different time.
2) Direct staff to place a different question on the November 2015 ballot;
3) Direct staff to place all four potential times for elections, or any combination thereof, on the November 2015 ballot;
4) Place any or all questions on the ballot at a different time.
Background/History:
The current City Charter calls for primary and general elections to be held on dates that are inconsistent with the four dates permitted by state law for holding elections [spring (March/May and fall (August/November). In 1997 an ordinance was adopted to clarify that the primary and general elections of the City would be held in the spring (March and May), the closest dates to those in the Charter. Beginning in 2014 all municipalities in Arizona were required to hold their candidate elections in the fall of even-numbered years regardless of charters; therefore, Flagstaff's 2014 elections, which would have normally been held in March and May, were held in August and November. A recent decision in the Court of Appeals determined that charters supersede state law; this decision was appealed and the Arizona Supreme Court has denied the request for review. Therefore, the question of when municipal elections are held in Flagstaff is a matter of local concern for those cities with charters; however, the City's current Charter is still inconsistent with the four dates permitted for holding elections. This memo provides details on the pros/cons of the various dates and includes a recommendation from staff.
Key Considerations:
The City Council has two questions to answer:
1) When do you want to hold municipal elections in Flagstaff?
As has been discussed at past meetings, there are pros/cons for each election date; however, based on the issues considered in the attached Potential Benefits/Considerations document , while recognizing that this is the decision of the City Council, staff's recommendation is that the City Council consider holding the elections in conjunction with statewide elections in the fall of even-numbered years based on the following:
A) Least cost
B) Term length of Council members would be closest to current lengths
C) Increased voter turnout (not from a political perspective but strictly as the City's Election Official to increase voter turnout)
2) When do you want to present the question(s) to the voters?
State law does allow such questions to be directed to the voters; however, each proposed amendment would be required to be voted on separately. Additionally, a Charter amendment is not effective unless approved by a majority of the qualified electors voting on it; therefore, the more questions presented the less chance that a majority vote for one date would be achieved.
1) When do you want to hold municipal elections in Flagstaff?
As has been discussed at past meetings, there are pros/cons for each election date; however, based on the issues considered in the attached Potential Benefits/Considerations document , while recognizing that this is the decision of the City Council, staff's recommendation is that the City Council consider holding the elections in conjunction with statewide elections in the fall of even-numbered years based on the following:
A) Least cost
B) Term length of Council members would be closest to current lengths
C) Increased voter turnout (not from a political perspective but strictly as the City's Election Official to increase voter turnout)
2) When do you want to present the question(s) to the voters?
State law does allow such questions to be directed to the voters; however, each proposed amendment would be required to be voted on separately. Additionally, a Charter amendment is not effective unless approved by a majority of the qualified electors voting on it; therefore, the more questions presented the less chance that a majority vote for one date would be achieved.
Community Involvement:
Inform
Consult
Involve
Collaborate
Empower
The ultimate power of the citizens is in the ability to voice their preference at an election.
Consult
Involve
Collaborate
Empower
The ultimate power of the citizens is in the ability to voice their preference at an election.