A draft letter urging consideration of moving Littleton municipal elections to even-numbered years prompted a robust debate at the Jan. 13 Next Generation Advisory Board meeting about turnout data, logistics and the proper pathway for such a change.

Bobby Thomas introduced the draft asking council to consider whether consolidating elections could improve representation of younger voters. In public comment earlier in the meeting, Pam Chadbourne urged the board not to pursue the timing change, telling the board: "Please don't do that." Board members agreed the issue is complex and requested data to back up claims about age-related turnout differences — in particular, turnout statistics from Arapahoe County and longitudinal local turnout figures.

Members raised two types of concerns: empirical and procedural. On the empirical side, some members argued even-year elections typically produce higher turnout and that younger voters are disproportionately underrepresented in off-year elections; others warned that combining local contests with state and federal races can shift attention away from local issues and produce more emotionally driven outcomes. "More voting is better," one board member said; another cautioned about the logistical and charter implications of re-timing municipal terms.

Procedurally, staff reminded the board that the Charter Review Committee and city council play formal roles: the committee can recommend charter changes and council decides which items to refer to voters. Staff suggested the draft letter frame the request as a recommendation for voters to consider via the existing charter-review/council process rather than an instruction to council to make the change unilaterally.

The board asked the letter’s author to compile supporting data and an appendix, and members agreed to submit suggested wording before the next meeting. No formal board vote was taken; members said the item would return in February with data and possible edits for consideration.