Keizer volunteer committee approves revised candidate-selection process, will send changes to council

The Keizer Volunteer Coordinating Committee on Sept. 11 approved changes to its candidate-selection and voting procedures and voted to forward the amended document to Keizer City Council for final consideration.

Chair introduced a redlined draft prepared by staff that addresses technical issues the committee experienced in prior recruitments (including repeated tie votes). The proposed changes let committee members rank or select multiple preferred candidates on a single ballot when multiple positions are open; add a 'no recommendation' option; and require a candidate to receive at least 50% of ballots to be forwarded to council.

"If there are three positions open … each of us on our ballot can pick our top three that we would like to see," the chair explained during discussion. Members also debated how to handle differing term lengths for open seats. After discussion, the committee favored a simpler approach: when term lengths differ, the top vote-getter would be allowed to choose which position (term) they prefer, then the next top vote-getter chooses among the remaining positions. Members noted the committee could also ask applicants, during recruitment, which term length(s) they prefer.

The committee moved, and then amended, the draft to reflect tonight’s clarifications and voted to approve the changes as amended. The motion carried, and the committee requested that staff submit the updated process to City Council for formal adoption; council approval is required before the committee’s changed procedures take effect.

Committee members said the revisions are intended to reduce repeated ties and simplify ballots while preserving member choice. The committee plans to revisit any additional technical edits at the January meeting and expects council consideration in February.