City Council considers charter amendment to lift petition signing limits

Bangor City officials are moving forward with a charter amendment aimed at enhancing voter participation in local elections. During a recent Government Operations Committee meeting, city solicitor David Sobchak presented a proposal to remove a long-standing provision in the city charter that limits the number of petitions a voter can sign for candidates.

Currently, the charter restricts voters to signing only as many petitions as there are positions available for election. For instance, in the upcoming city council election, where three positions are open, a voter can only sign three petitions. Sobchak explained that this limitation raises questions about its enforceability, particularly regarding free speech rights protected under the First Amendment.

The proposed amendment would eliminate this restriction, allowing citizens to sign as many petitions as they wish. This change is seen as a way to encourage broader support for candidates and increase civic engagement. The amendment process is straightforward, requiring a council order to schedule a public hearing, followed by a vote to potentially place the amendment on the ballot for the next election.

Council members expressed support for the amendment, noting that in a close-knit community like Bangor, many voters may want to support multiple candidates but are currently restricted by the charter. The amendment is expected to simplify the petition process and enhance voter participation in future elections.

As the city prepares for the next election, this amendment could significantly impact how candidates gather support and how voters engage with the electoral process.