Title
Resolution to Order Election, Approve Charter Amendment of the Ann Arbor City Charter Sections Eliminating the Partisan Primary Process and Establishing Non-Partisan Nomination and Election for the Offices of Mayor and Council at City General Elections and Determine the Ballot Language for this Amendment (7 Votes Required)
Memorandum
MCL 117.21 of the Home Rule City Act provides that amendment to an existing city charter may be proposed by the legislative body of a city on a 3/5 vote of the members-elect. The Act further provides that election of a Mayor and Council members may be by partisan or nonpartisan method of voting (MCL 117.3).
In order to promote an approach to governance of this City that focuses on efficiency, [eliminating local primary costs] and effectiveness [potentially increasing the likelihood of voter turnout for November elections], I am proposing my fellow Council members consideration an amendment to the City Charter which would change the manner of election of Mayor and Council Members from partisan elections to non-partisan election.
The proposed amendment eliminates the primary election for local offices, provides for nomination of candidates for the those offices by nominating petitions, updates the filing date for those petitions to comply with current election law, removes the provision requiring City Council Members canvas votes for all City primary elections [this provision has been superseded by MCL168.24a which abolished City boards of canvassers] and eliminates any reference to party affiliation on the election ballot. It is proposed that these changes be placed before the voters at the November 3, 2015 general election and if adopted no primary local primary would be held in August 2016 and non-partisan candidates would appear on the November 2016 ballot.
Staff
Prepared by: Mary Joan Fales, Senior Assistant City Attorney
Sponsored by: Councilmembers Lumm, Westphal and Eaton
Body
Whereas, Section 21(...
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