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Executive committee postpones ordinance amendment on filing supervisory vacancies to Sept. 18
Summary
Dane County Executive Committee voted to postpone consideration of ordinance amendment 25 0 8 0 8, which would change when special elections for supervisory vacancies are held, after its sponsor said the measure’s intent and effect do not match.
The Dane County Executive Committee on an oral voice vote postponed consideration of ordinance amendment 25 0 8 0 8 — an amendment to chapter 6 of the Dane County Code of Ordinances on filing supervisory vacancies — until the committee’s Sept. 18 meeting.
Supervisor Zach Friess, who identified himself as a student representing a majority‑student district, told the committee he requested the postponement because the amendment’s practical effect differs from its intent. “I think what happened here was there's a mismatch between the intent of the ordinance amendment and the actual impact of the ordinance amendment,” Friess said, adding the measure as drafted would effectively eliminate midterm special elections and extend the length of appointed representation in some districts.
Friess said the amendment was meant to tie special elections to existing elections to increase turnout, ensure constituents are present to vote, and reduce administrative costs: “By tying special elections to already existing elections, I was hopeful that that would encourage a greater swath of people to come out and have a say… Finally, cost saving and efficiency. By holding special elections concurrently with the regular spring elections, you have reduced administrative costs.”
Committee members accepted a motion to postpone the ordinance to Sept. 18. Supervisor Engelberger made the motion; the chair called for the voice vote and the motion carried. The committee record shows no roll‑call tally in the transcript; the motion was recorded as carried by voice vote.
The ordinance amendment was introduced as item 25 0 8 0 8 and is sponsored by Supervisors Friess and Engelberger. Friess urged the committee to either postpone or deny the amendment in its current form and signaled willingness to work with colleagues on redrafting language to preserve voters’ ability to hold timely special elections while addressing turnout and cost concerns.
Next steps: the item will return to the executive committee agenda on Sept. 18 for further consideration, per the committee motion.
