However, when the council was presented with the second option, which was to not do anything regarding the special election, which automatically places Elevate’s initiative on the November 2018 ballot, and direct city staff to return with a proposed legal amendment to the current law, all councilmembers except Overton voted in favor.

A standing room only crowd was evenly divided between their the possibility of a May special election at the council's meeting. City spokeswoman Meg Roederer said 285 people attended the meeting, filling the council chamber and spilling into an overflow room in the lobby.

A total of 72 citizens addressed the council, and of those who voiced an opinion on the election, 36 people requested a special election in May, and 34 people spoke against the possibility.

Those who spoke out against the election said holding a special election would set a dangerous precedent about holding a special election to overturn an outcome that initiative sponsors do not like.

Many of those who spoke against the special election said they felt insulted when those in favor of the special election said voters did not understand the ramifications of their votes.