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Senate committee advances bill to move municipal elections to even years; cities warn of 'overshadowing'
Summary
The committee advanced SB 422 (LC 473837) to shift local municipal elections from odd to even years by extending current odd‑year terms one year; proponents say it will boost turnout, municipal groups warn it could 'overshadow' local contests and raise charter and administrative issues.
The Senate Ethics Committee heard extensive debate on SB 422 (LC 473837), a proposal from Senator Bearden to move municipal elections held in odd years into even‑numbered years by extending current odd‑year terms by one year. Bearden said the change is designed to raise turnout in low‑participation local contests and cited examples of single‑digit turnout in some areas.
Bearden told the committee the bill would supersede conflicting local charters so the statewide rule would apply uniformly, and he stressed he chose to add one year rather than subtract a year…
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