Council approves charter amendment to eliminate "resign-to-run" requirement; ordinance to go to voters after 15–1 vote
Loading...
Summary
City Council voted to adopt a charter amendment proposal to remove the requirement that city officers resign before running for other office; the implementing ordinance passed after roll-call with 15 ayes and 1 nay and will be submitted to Philadelphia voters.
Philadelphia City Council voted on Feb. 24, 2026, to advance a charter amendment that would eliminate the city’s requirement that officers and employees resign from city office before becoming candidates for other public office. Council moved and adopted the resolution (241070-A) and then approved the implementing ordinance (read on two different days) by a roll-call that recorded 15 ayes and 1 nay.
Councilmember Isaiah Thomas moved for the adoption of the resolution and the motion carried on the floor. During the final passage roll call for the implementing ordinance, Councilmember Jeffrey Young registered a recorded nay; the clerk announced "the ayes are 15 and the nays are 1," and the bill passed. The ordinance’s title states that it "provides for the submission to the qualified electors of the city of Philadelphia" of the proposed charter amendment and authorizes publication and arrangements for a special election.
Supporters framed the change as removing a barrier that forces city employees to leave positions of public service in order to seek higher or other office. Opponents registered caution during floor remarks; Councilmember Young recorded his dissent on the roll call. The ordinance language read on the floor specifies that the proposal will go to the city's electors for approval at a special election, and council directions require the appropriate publication and scheduling steps.
Votes at a glance: • Resolution 241070-A (proposing amendment to eliminate resign-to-run requirement): adopted (voice vote/motion carried). • Ordinance providing for submission to the electors (bill 241056/implementing ordinance): passed on final passage (roll-call: 15 ayes, 1 nay — Councilmember Young recorded as the lone nay).
What this means: If the voters approve the amendment at the special election authorized by the ordinance, city officers and employees would no longer be required to resign from their posts before being candidates for other offices. The council’s action sets the measure on a path to a public vote; it does not itself change charter text until electors approve the amendment.
Other bills and resolutions called up alongside the charter measure — including land bank dispositions and city recognition resolutions — were taken up and adopted during the same session; the clerk recorded several final-passage approvals by voice vote following roll calls and motions on the floor.
The council adjourned after completing the calendar and numerous ceremonial recognitions.
