Title
Resolution to Order Election, Approve Charter Amendment of the Ann Arbor City Charter Sections to Establish Non-Partisan Nomination and Election for the Offices of Mayor and Council and Determine Ballot Language for this Amendment (7 Votes Required)
Body
Whereas, On November 2, 2021, Ann Arbor voters approved the Ranked Choice Voting ballot initiative to amend the city Charter to stipulate future city elections must be conducted using ranked-choice voting once authorized by the state;
Whereas, Bills have been introduced in the Michigan House and Senate to move the primary election day from August to a spring date to allow more time to process the primary election results and prepare for the general election;
Whereas, Most city clerks in Michigan support a spring primary election;
Whereas, Ann Arbor is one of only three cities in Michigan to conduct local elections on a partisan basis and all of Ann Arbor's traditional benchmark cities (Boulder, Berkeley, Madison, Austin) conduct local elections on a non-partisan basis;
Whereas, Voter turnout in November is significantly and consistently higher than turnout in August (and the August date is likely to change to a spring date), thus holding the meaningful election of the Mayor and City Council Members in November when turnout is highest strengthens democratic representation;
Whereas, Fewer restrictions on holding office are more consistent with open and democratic government and conducting local elections on a non-partisan basis is likely to increase the number of qualified candidates interested in running for local office;
Whereas, Ann Arbor residents have not had an opportunity to provide input on this question of partisan/non-partisan local elections since the 1950's;
Whereas, On July 1, 2019, seven Council Members voted affirmatively on a resolution to place this question before voters on November 5, 2019, but on July 5, 2019, that resolution was vetoed by Mayor Taylor eliminating the voters' ...
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