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Board discusses resolution opposing moving April municipal elections to November; vote set for regular meeting
Summary
Board members discussed a resolution, prompted by the Missouri Municipal League, opposing moving April municipal elections to November, citing concerns about reduced focus on local races and the effect on tax-related measures; the resolution will be voted on at the regular meeting.
Board members discussed a resolution at the Jan. 21 work session that would register the city's opposition to proposals to move municipal elections from April to November.
Staff said the item surfaced via the Missouri Municipal League and that several nearby cities had already passed similar resolutions. One board member asked whether aligning local elections with November contests would save money; other members said November turnout might be higher but less focused on local issues and could reduce the chance of passing local tax measures in presidential-election years.
"Missouri municipalities have historically conducted local elections on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in April, providing voters with a focused opportunity to consider local candidates and issues without being overshadowed by state and federal races," a board member said during discussion, echoing the MML rationale for opposing a move.
The item was left for formal action at the regular meeting, where the board will vote on whether to adopt the resolution.
