March 7, 2018
Keep Local Elections Local -
Oppose CS/SB 1262 & HB 7037
CS/CS/SB 1262 would force ALL cities to choose to hold municipal elections on either the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, or on the third Tuesday in March.
The bill would dictate the timing of runoff elections, too. November election cities would have to hold their initial election the last week of August and the runoff election 10 weeks later. March election cities would have to hold their initial election the last week of January and runoff election 7 weeks later.
CS/SB 1262 would override existing city charters and ordinances.
Please call your Senators and urge them to Vote NO on CS/SB 1262 or
HB 7037
, the House companion bill!
Talking Points:
- Decisions about the form and function of municipal government -- including the date and timing of elections -- are inherently and fundamentally local in nature. The bills would take this choice away from municipal citizens.
- There is no data to support that higher voter turnout in November elections will increase voter participation in municipal elections. Municipal candidates will be competing for voter and media attention with federal, state and county candidates and issues.
- For over half of cities that provide for runoff elections, municipal campaigns will be in full swing during summer and winter holidays - when voters are highly distracted or absent, and media access exceedingly expensive.
- Municipal voters should have the right to decide for themselves when they want to have municipal elections. This is a purely local decision that should stay local.
