Mayor urges moving Montrose municipal elections to November, citing turnout and $15,000 savings

Mayor Michael Badiacco opened the special meeting by pitching a charter amendment to move Montrose’s municipal elections from April to November, saying the change would increase participation and save the city money. “It reduces municipal election costs up to $15,000 per election,” he said, adding that November general elections attract higher turnout and allow coordination with county election administration.

Residents and some councilors questioned whether higher turnout necessarily translates into better-informed votes on local measures. John Brown, a resident who spoke during public comment, said, “I’m tired of 15% of Montrose electing my city council,” arguing that broader turnout is preferable. Several speakers warned that placing municipal contests on a long November ballot risks burying local questions beneath state and national races.

Speakers at the meeting also contrasted election administration standards: a proponent noted that county-run November contests are administered under Colorado Title 1 rules with ballot tracking and other safeguards, while city-managed municipal elections fall under Title 31. Opponents pressed for concrete evidence that Montrose’s existing municipal conduct has been problematic; no specific instance of widespread ballot security failure was presented in the meeting.

The council did not vote on the amendment. The mayor and several councilors agreed the ordinance language — including transition mechanics for current terms — must be drafted for future readings. The council directed staff to prepare ordinance titles for notice; the city attorney said drafting under the present schedule would be tight but possible. A final council vote on whether to place the question on the ballot is expected in the coming weeks.