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Cleveland council removes proposed sixth seat from May 3, 2025 ballot, moves some charter changes to 2026
Summary
After debate about voter confusion and timing, the Cleveland City Council voted to order the May 3, 2025 general election for mayor and two council seats while removing a proposed council position 6 from that ballot and approving timing changes for other charter amendment propositions.
The Cleveland City Council voted to order a general election for May 3, 2025 for mayor and council positions 1 and 2, but removed a proposed council position 6 from that ballot.
Councilmember Rachel Hall moved to approve the ordinance ordering the May 3 election with part d (council position 6) removed; Councilmember Buckley seconded. The motion carried 5-0.
The change followed several council members urging voters be given a separate, clearer choice about whether to add a sixth council seat and related charter changes. Council members said placing a new office on the same ballot as a charter amendment that creates that office could confuse voters and complicate how ballots are ordered under state election rules.
Council also approved amendments to the city charter propositions identified as items D and E to change the timing of when some changes would take effect; a motion to approve amendments to propositions D (move certain election timing to May 2026) and E (related mayor voting provisions contingent on D) passed after discussion (motion by Councilmember Buckley; second by Councilmember Hall). The council additionally directed staff to begin exploring a local-option election regarding alcohol provisions; that motion also passed.
Why it matters: The council’s actions set what Cleveland voters will see on the May ballot and establish the sequence for possible charter changes. Council members said separating the decision over adding a seat from the election for that seat gives voters clearer information and more time for public education.
What happened in debate: Multiple council members and city staff reviewed how state law and ballot ordering rules work when a charter amendment affects the creation of an office. Staff advised that state election law requires the charter amendment language that affects an office to appear on the ballot before the office affected by that language if both are on the same ballot. Council members cited concern that multiple propositions and races on the same ballot could depress clarity and turnout. After an executive-session discussion and additional language adjustments, the council moved the ordinance and related charter-timing items.
Formal outcomes recorded in open session included: - Approval of the ordinance ordering the May 3, 2025 general election to elect mayor and council positions 1 and 2 with council position 6 removed (motion: Councilmember Rachel Hall; second: Councilmember Buckley; vote: 5-0). - Approval to amend charter propositions D and E to change timing related to implementing certain charter changes (motion: Councilmember Buckley; second: Councilmember Hall; outcome: carried). - Direction to staff to begin the process to explore options for a local-option election on alcohol provisions (motion carried).
Councilmembers and staff said they will continue to finalize ballot language and coordinate with the county elections office to ensure the charter amendment language and any affected office elections are ordered in compliance with state law. The council also asked staff to prepare voter education materials if multiple charter propositions reach the ballot.
