2015.07.07 WS Combined Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

VPWR.tiE" 1hp(.:rd 4 that worts tfhr w' !i Memo To: Mayor Jacobsen and Councilmembers Bauman, Burg, Jacobsen and Strub From: City Manager Dean Lotter and City Clerk Terri Haarstad Subject: Municipal Elections: Odd -Numbered Years vs Even -Numbered Years Date: July 7, 2015 As a Statutory Plan B City, New Brighton may choose whether to hold municipal elections in an odd or even year cycle. New Brighton currently holds municipal elections in odd -numbered years in conjunction with School Board elections for the St. Anthony - New Brighton School District and the Mounds View School District. Recently, Councilmembers asked City staff to provide information regarding the possibility of changing New Brighton's municipal elections to run concurrently with State and Federal elections in even -numbered years. Pros and Cons: Proponents of odd -year municipal elections often claim that holding odd -year elections helps maintain local identity and allows more time and space for local media coverage of local issues and candidates. They claim that the cost of campaigning for local offices is less for candidates running in an odd -year election as they do not have as much competition for voter's attention. Odd -year elections are believed to be less partisan. It is also thought that holding annual elections in November creates a community mindset of civic responsibility and keeps election laws, processes and procedures fresh in the minds of election judges and staff. Opponents to odd -year voting often claim that, as odd -year elections are solely the responsibility of the governmental entity administering the election, they are costly to taxpayers. Some also claim that annual elections make voters apathetic to the voting process. Proponents of even -year elections often claim that even -year elections are more cost efficient as the County takes financial responsibility for much of the election administration leaving the city responsible only for costs associated with staffing, equipping polling places, training election judges, absentee voting, etc. They claim that support for equipment is more readily available during even=year elections and that supplies can be purchased more cheaply. Proponents believe that it is more likely citizens will participate in the election of local officials, as even -year elections generally attract a larger voter turn -out. Proponents also believe that the general public is more eager to participate in even -year elections, making election judges easier to recruit and hire. Opponents of municipal even -year year elections often claim that, although voter turnout may be higher in even -year elections, voters may not be educated on local issues. H:\Flections\2015.07.07 Worksession discussion - Odd bs even municipal election years version 3.doc