Chandler council orders November vote to clarify mayor and council term limits

The Chandler City Council voted June 2 to order a special election on Nov. 4, 2025 to present a proposed amendment clarifying term limits for council members and the mayor.

City Attorney (unnamed) told the council the city charter, adopted in 1965 and amended over the decades, contains language that the office found “vague and confusing” after consulting an outside elections-law expert. The attorney said the proposed amendment does not change the substance of term limits but would rewrite the section to make clear that a person may not be elected to council for more than two consecutive terms and must sit out four years before again being eligible for the same office; the same limit would apply to the mayor. The draft also clarifies combined service limits when a person serves as both council member and mayor and how partial terms are counted.

The amendment would take effect upon certification of the election and approval by the governor, the city attorney said. The attorney added there has been no finding of charter violation; rather, the office proposed the change to avoid future litigation and inconsistent interpretations.

Members of the public were split. Beth Bridal, a Chandler resident of 30 years, urged the council to allow voters to decide and said the change preserves the existing 16-year combined limit: “I am here this evening to ask you to vote yes on resolution 59 13, ordering and calling a special election for 11/04/2025 for the submission of proposed amendments to the city charter clarifying term limits for council members and mayor,” Bridal said. Sherry Johnson, a community leader in Legislative District 12, supported placing the item on the ballot to avoid legal uncertainty. Several other residents—including Martin Sapota and Rick Heumann—also spoke in favor of clarification. Opponents urged delay; Marsha Weese and Ruth Jones asked the council to take more time and examine the entire charter before adding amendments to the ballot, arguing the change could have unintended consequences.

Council discussion emphasized restoring clarity to long-standing practice. Council member Encinas said the amendment “is upholding the historical precedents of our city and our voters,” while other council members noted they had solicited constituent feedback over the prior weeks.

A motion to pass Resolution No. 59-13 (ordering and calling a special election on Nov. 4, 2025 to submit the proposed charter amendment clarifying term limits) was made by Council member Martinez and seconded by Vice Mayor Ellis. The council instructed staff to make any conforming changes before transmitting the resolution to Maricopa County for placement on the ballot. The motion carried by majority with Council member Hawkins dissenting.

The city attorney said the county would prepare a voter pamphlet and that voters may submit pro and con arguments; the amendment, if approved by voters, would be certified and then forwarded to the governor for approval under Arizona law governing charter amendments.

The council also noted that this referral does not itself amend the charter: “Any changes we consider will ultimately be decided by Chandler voters, not us,” the presiding officer said during the meeting.

Votes at a glance: Resolution No. 59-13 — ordered for the Nov. 4, 2025 special election; motion carried by majority, Council member Hawkins dissenting. (See actions[] for structured vote record.)

Looking ahead, the council separately discussed forming a citizen charter review committee to examine additional charter updates; that matter was addressed in a second, separate ordinance (Ordinance No. 51-32) and is reported in a companion article.