04-07-25 - Council Work Session Agenda

Home Search

CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT ITEM NO. 4 STAFF ORIGINATOR: Roberta Colotti, CIVIC, City Clerk WORK SESSION DATE: April 7, 2025 TOPIC: Even -Year Elections Background At the December 2, 2024 City Council Work Session staff requested that the City Council consider the option of moving to even -year elections to improve voter engagement and to reduce costs. There is a trend away from odd -year elections across the state as well for these reasons. At the December meeting it was the consensus of the City Council to direct the City Attorney to research the legal steps and considerations to move to an even -year election for municipal officers, for future consideration. Voter engagement is one consideration in reviewing the option to move to even -year elections. The number of registered voters at 7 a.m. on Election Day in 2024 was 15,322. • 1,785 voters participated in the last odd -year municipal election (2023) • 14,135 voters participated in the last even -year general election (2024) The cost to run an election is covered primarily by the city, with county and state costs also part of the total public cost to run and election The City of Lino Lakes budget for the 2025 municipal election is $21,367. There are some ongoing annual costs regardless of if an election is held or not and the decision to move absentee voting for 2025 to Anoka County will also reduce the City's 2025 actual costs, however, the majority of the budget would be saved as direct result of moving to even -year elections. There has been a move by cities that have had odd -year elections in the past to transition to even -year elections. According to the Secretary of State's Office of the 856 cities, only 18 will be conducting an odd -year election in 2025 (see the attached list of 18 cities and one township that are conducting an election in 2025). There are options for the City to consider in moving to an even -year election regarding the terms of office and maintaining the staggered terms of office. If the amendment is made effective this year and we do not hold a 2025 election the terms of office of incumbents would be extended by one year. However, if the amendment is set to become effective for a future date, then the terms of those elected in the first cycles would be adjusted to maintain the stagged dates that the different terms expire.