The Santa Fe City Council voted Sept. 24 to convene a charter review commission by April 2026 to examine the balance of powers between the mayor and council. The resolution, introduced by Councilor Jamie Cassatt and others, directs staff to form a narrowly focused commission to analyze whether charter changes are recommended on executive-legislative authority.

Councilor Michael Garcia moved an amendment to add ranked‑choice voting (RCV) to the commission’s charge; he said the amendment would ask the commission to review whether the RCV system “continues to serve the best interests of voters” and to recommend changes if appropriate. The amendment prompted a lengthy debate about process and notice: the city attorney cautioned that broadening the caption at final passage could raise Open Meetings Act concerns because agenda captions must provide reasonable public notice of the issues to be discussed.

Supporters of the amendment argued it had been circulated in advance and noted precedent where captions were altered; opponents said RCV was a separate, sizable topic that merited its own resolution or committee review and that adding it at final passage without additional public notice was procedurally risky. The council voted on the amendment by roll call and it failed. The main resolution to convene the commission — limited to separation of powers between the mayor and the council — then passed on final action.

City staff noted the charter process must follow the charter’s timing requirements and said the commission would be advertised and required to hold public meetings. Councilors debating the amendment discussed community education efforts on RCV and said additional outreach could precede any formal review.