Title
Resolution to Encourage the Governor to Issue an Executive Order Regarding Nomination Petitions
Staff
Prepared by: Matthew Thomas, Assistant City Attorney
Body
Whereas, The Governor has issued Executive Order 2020-21, ordering all individuals living within the State of Michigan to stay at home or at their place of residence, subject to limited exceptions;
Whereas, Section 13.8(a) of the Ann Arbor City Charter requires a person desiring to qualify for an elective City office to file with the Clerk a nomination petition;
Whereas, Section 13.8(a) further requires that a person seeking nomination to City Council to obtain at least 100 signatures of registered electors of the ward from which the person seeks to be elected;
Whereas, The Ann Arbor City Charter does not allow for the payment of a filing fee in lieu of obtaining signatures;
Whereas, Under MCL 168.551 candidates seeking to be placed on the ballot for the August primary election must submit their nominating petitions to the City Clerk by 4 p.m. eastern standard time on the fifteenth Tuesday before the August primary;
Whereas, For 2020, the fifteenth Tuesday before the August primary election is April 21, 2020; and
Whereas, Gathering signatures in-person is not consistent with Executive Order 2020-21;
RESOLVED, The City Council encourages the Governor to issue an Executive Order that provides potential candidates an opportunity to meet the nomination requirements for the August 2020 primary election while following the requirements of Executive Order 2020-21.
Sponsored by: Councilmembers Nelson and Griswold