HomeMy WebLinkAbout20100503 - VII-1
To: Mayor Hicks and City Councilmembers
From: Melanie Mesko Lee, Assistant City Administrator
Date: April 28, 2010
Re: Charter Amendment: Election Procedures
Recommended City Council Action:
Conduct a public hearing for the attached charter amendments, Section 2.04: Primary Elections
and Section 2.05: Petitions for Elections. No other action will need to occur at the May 3 meeting,
as the second reading/ordinance amendment has been scheduled for Monday May 17, 2010.
Background:
Recent legislative changes have resulted in a different date for the Primary Election and schedule
for filing for office. Our Charter currently references the previous statutory language. It is the
Charter Commission’s recommendation to amend these two impacted sections of the Charter with
broader language to both comply with the new legislation and remain in compliance with
statutory language should the dates change again in the future. Below is the current stricken
language, with the language recommended by the Charter Commission underlined. The
commission recommended this change at their March 25, 2010 Charter meeting.
SECTION 2.04 Primary Elections
On the first Tuesday after the second Monday in September date indicated by state law
preceding any general City election or on the third Tuesday preceding any special
election held for the purpose of election of City officials, an election of nominees
hereinafter designated as the "primary election" shall be held in each voting precinct for
the selection of candidates for all elective offices within the City of Hastings to be filled
at such ensuing election. A primary election shall only be called in the event that three (3)
or more qualified persons have filed for the same ward council seat or the Mayor's
position. When both at-large council seats are to be filled, a primary election shall be
called only in the event five or more qualified persons have filed for the at-large council
seats. In the event only one at-large council seat is to be filled, a primary shall be called
only in the event three or more qualified persons have filed for the at-large council seat.
The City Clerk shall cause to be published in a newspaper of general circulation, at least
once, a notice of the primary election which shall state the time and place of holding such
election and of the officers to be elected at said election. At said primary election there
shall be nominated by the qualified electors of the City, two candidates for each office to
be filled within the City at the next ensuing general or special election.
SECTION 2.05 Petitions for Election
Not more than 10, nor less than 8 weeks before a scheduled primary election day, as
outlined in Section 2.04, An individual who is eligible and desires to become a candidate
for an office to be voted for at the election, shall file an Affidavit of Candidacy with the
City Clerk with the City of Hastings in compliance with statutory filing requirements for
municipal elections in which a primary is possible.
The Council approved the first reading and ordering the public hearing at their April 19 Council
meeting.
Please let me know if you have any questions.