Chandler council orders November ballot to clarify term limits, creates nine‑member charter review committee

The Chandler City Council voted Monday to place amendments clarifying mayoral and council term limits on the Nov. 4, 2025, ballot and to form a nine‑member citizen charter amendment advisory committee to conduct a broader review of the Chandler City Charter.

City Attorney and staff told the council the charter’s existing language is ambiguous and could invite litigation unless clarified before upcoming elections. “There is no determination of any violations of our charter,” the City Attorney said, while arguing the text should be rewritten to reflect long‑standing practice and avoid confusion.

The proposed ballot language would restate that no person may be elected to the office of council member for more than two consecutive terms and must sit out at least four years before again becoming eligible for that office. It would include identical limits for the mayor and add a provision clarifying that a person may serve two terms as council member and two terms as mayor (a combined 16 years) before the four‑year break is required. The draft also says partial elected or appointed terms shorter than four years would not count toward the limits and refers to existing vacancy rules in section 2.06(c).

Council Member Michael Martinez moved the resolution to order the special election (Resolution No. 59‑13); Vice Mayor Ellis seconded. The motion passed by a majority with Council Member Hawkins dissenting. Council directed staff to make any conforming changes before sending the measure to Maricopa County for placement on the Nov. 4, 2025, all‑mail ballot and to prepare the required publicity pamphlet, including pro and con statements. The City Attorney said that, if voters approve the amendment, it would take effect upon certification of results and approval by the governor.

Speakers at the meeting split on the referral. Beth Bridal, a longtime Chandler resident, urged the council to refer the measure to voters, saying it would “avoid any more confusion as well as to stop any more expensive litigation.” By contrast, Ruth Jones, a Chandler resident who opposed the referral, told the council that voters previously rejected longer term limits and urged caution: “No one or group should hold power for an extended period of time,” she said.

Councilmembers and staff also approved introduction and tentative adoption of Ordinance No. 51‑32 to form a nine‑member citizen charter amendment resident advisory committee. The council voted to advance the ordinance at first reading; a second reading and the vote to appoint committee members will follow under the council’s normal timeline. The mayor outlined the committee’s role as conducting a comprehensive review of the charter and recommending changes the council could place on future ballots. The council indicated the committee’s work is expected to be completed in less than a year and that meetings will be public.

Council members emphasized the difference between the two actions: the resolution refers a specific, narrow amendment about term limits to the November ballot; the advisory committee is intended to review other technical and substantive charter items — for example, residency requirements and the number of readings required for ordinances — and to recommend whether additional questions should go to voters.

Public comment included multiple residents who supported the clarifying amendment as a way to maintain precedent and prevent uncertainty in upcoming races; other speakers said the change risked expanding the de facto length of service for elected officials. Several speakers and council members urged the process be transparent and open to resident input throughout the advisory committee’s review.

The council recessed after completing the two items. The council clerk reported no additional public comment cards for items not on the agenda. The council expects to return to regular business at its next scheduled meeting.