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, 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, Berkely, 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 holding the meaningful election of the Mayor and City Council members on a date 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 and in May, City Council rejected a proposed FY19 budget amendment to survey the community's preferences on the matter;
Whereas, It is wholly appropriate and consistent with democratic principles to allow citizens to determine the basis on which their local elections are conducted;
Whereas, Section 21(1) of the Home Rule City Act (HRCA), MCL 117.21(1), authorizes a city council to adopt a resolution proposing to amend the city charter by three-fifths vote of its members-elect and the resolution proposing to amend the city charter must set forth the exact wording of the proposed amendment to be submitted to the city voters for approval at a regular or special election;
Whereas, The resolution must set forth the ballot language for the proposed charter amendment with each proposal being limited to a single subject;
Whereas, Se...
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