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Committee backs moving 2025 preliminary election to Sept. 16, forwards change to full council after lengthy discussion
Summary
After extended questioning about mail‑in voting, timelines and recounts, the committee voted 7–4 to recommend that the 2025 preliminary election be held Sept. 16 to allow more time for mail‑in ballot processing; the measure will go to the full City Council for final action.
The Committee on Appointments and Briefings voted March 18 to forward a recommended change to the 2025 preliminary election date, asking the full City Council to hold the preliminary on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, rather than in October. The committee recorded a 7–4 vote to send a favorable recommendation to the full council.
Election Commissioner Manny (identified in the hearing as the city election official) told the committee the proposed date gives additional time between the preliminary and the final to process mail‑in ballots, print and test ballots and equipment, and to allow time for potential recounts. “With all the changes in mail‑in voting and early voting, it doesn’t give enough time between for us to process and offer mail‑in balloting for our residents,” the commissioner said, describing recent increases in mail‑in applications and the administrative time required to prepare ballots and flash drives for voting machines.
Councilors asked detailed questions about how often preliminary recounts have occurred, how many mail‑in ballots were returned in prior municipal cycles, and what outreach the election office would undertake to notify voters of a changed date. Several councilors urged clearer public notification if the date changes; one councilor suggested the city and election office coordinate paid advertising and direct mail as part of a broader communications plan.
Opponents of the change said moving the date risks confusing voters accustomed to the traditional October/November calendar and urged caution or a permanent, consistent date such as the “first Tuesday” in September and November rather than an ad hoc change. Supporters said other nearby municipalities have similarly moved preliminary dates earlier to accommodate mail‑in processing and that more lead time will ensure correct ballot production.
The committee voted to send the recommended date change to the full City Council with a favorable recommendation; the committee also requested follow‑up data (historical mail‑in counts, recount frequency and a calendar of processing deadlines) for council review before final action. The full City Council will consider the item at its March 27 meeting.
