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Council sends state-formula charter amendment option to voters, adopts election resolution
Summary
Council adopted resolution No. 2026-1977 to place a Charter Review Committee-recommended option (aligning Prescott's 'majority to elect' language with state statute) and a justice-of-the-peace removal item on the November 3, 2026 special election ballot; the resolution passed 5–2 after extended debate.
The Prescott City Council voted 5–2 on March 10 to adopt resolution No. 2026-1977 and to place proposed charter language on a special election ballot set for Nov. 3, 2026. The council chose the Charter Review Committee's recommended option (option 2) to mirror state statute for calculating a primary-election majority, and it also approved an amendment to remove the term "justice of the peace" from city code language related to the city court.
City staff outlined three options: (1) clarify the city's existing formula, (2) adopt language that mirrors state statute (the committee's recommendation), or (3) make the primary the sole election (eliminating runoffs). Supporters of option 2 said it would reduce repeat runoffs and align city practice with the state; opponents warned that it could dilute the local primary's role and preferred retaining local control. Public commenters offered split views: some urged preserving the local primary's majority rule while others supported alignment with the state to avoid repeat elections and administrative cost.
Legal staff advised the council that multiple options could be placed on the ballot but warned that competing options could create complexity and require careful voter education. The council voted to adopt the resolution and place the recommended state-statute option on the ballot along with the justice-of-the-peace language change. The motion passed 5–2.
