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Panel advances bill to move municipal elections to August or November with transition provisions
Summary
Committee adopted an amendment to HB 14-97 to require municipal elections to coincide with either the August primary or November general; legal counsel said the bill takes effect 01/01/2027 and allows limited term extensions to align cycles; the measure advanced 6–1.
Members considered an addendum to HB 14-97 from Chairman Supiki that would move municipal elections to either the August primary or the November general and remove an earlier provision that would have made municipal contests partisan. The sponsor's amendment narrowed the bill to election timing; he said the change would reduce off‑cycle elections and cited reassessment timing as a reason some municipalities would prefer November.
Josh Houston of legal services told the committee that the bill takes effect Jan. 1, 2027, and that section 5B authorizes extending some municipal terms for up to two years to line up new cycles. Mark Owens, Coordinator of Elections, estimated—based on a county survey—that roughly 60 cities could be affected but said he would provide a definitive list to the full committee. Representative Powell and others raised concerns about runoff timing and turnout impacts; the committee adopted the amendment and voted 6–1 to send the bill on.
