HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/03/1987 Council Packet183 University Ave. E., St. Paul, MN 55101-2526
April 3, 1837
TO: City Clerks
(612) 227-5600
FROA: Helen Scnendel, Associate Director
RE: Election Bill Would Supercede Ali City Charters
On April 2, Senator Luther introduced legislation that would
establish a "local government election day" for elections of all
county, city, and school district officers, county and municipal
judges, and officers of ail other political subdivisions, except
townships.
The pill would set the first Tuesday after the first Monday in
November in each odd -numbered year as the local government election
day. The regular election of all elective officers of every county,
city and school district, or any other political subdivision would
take place on the established local government election day.
The proposed legislation would supercede all charter provisions and
all general and special laws to the extent inconsistent with the
intent of the legislation.
The first local government day would be November 6, 1993. Terms would
be extended where necessary to comply with the provisions of the
legislation except home rule charter cities may extend or reduce
terms by ordinance if they adopt it before Dec. 1, 1992. However,
the bill requires that terms be for an even number of years and
staggered. Charter cities could extend terms of two years to terms
of four years.
Under, the bill, local governments would hold primary elections six
weeks before the election day. The bill would require all cities to
have primary elections if more than two people file for an office or
if more than twice the number of people to be elected file for an
office. Cities of 2,500 population or less would not need to have
primaries, but could if they pass an ordinance or resolution at least
16 weeks before the election day. Such a measure would be effective
for all following elections unless the city revoked it.
Filings for ail offices to be filled on local government election day
would begin 144 weeks before and conclude 12 weeks before the primary
or begin eight weeks before and conclude six weeks before the
election day if there is no primary.
The bili would require school district elections to be held in conjunction
with city and county elections. It would also require the city to
consult with the boards of each school district and each municipality
which includes territory of school districts wholly or partially in
the city before taking final action on designating precinct
boundaries.
Ali terms of office for those offices elected at the local government
election day wouid begin on the first Monday in January following
their election.
Even though the uniform election day would begin in 1993, many of the
sections of the bili would take effect August 1, 1987.
THE SENATE ELECTIONS AND ETHICS COMMITTEE WILL HEAR THIS BILL ON
WED., APRIL 8 AT 11:30 A.M. IN ROOM 107 OF THE CAPITOL. WE ENCOURAGE
CITY OFFICIALS TO BE PRESENT. IF YOU CAN'T ATTEND, PLEASE CALL YOUR
SENATOR NOW AND EXPRESS YOUR CONCERN AND OPPOSITION TO S.F. 1341.
LEAGUE POLICY OPPOSES MANDATORY PRIMARIES, SUPERCEDING HOME RULE
CHARTERS, AND MANDATING ADDITIONAL COSTS FOR THE CONDUCT OF
ELECTIONS.