Phoenix could move its elections to even years, matching federal races

Corrections & Clarifications: The headline on a previous version of this story incorrectly stated which years Phoenix would hold its elections under the proposal.

Phoenix is one of just a handful of Arizona cities that hold city council and mayoral elections on different dates than statewide elections.

While the state runs elections in August and November of every even-numbered year, Phoenix holds its elections in odd-numbered years.

Some, mostly conservative, council members have tried to move the dates to match the state's schedule for decades, but the idea has never gained traction — until now.

In a surprising 6-3 vote, the Phoenix City Council recently took an important first step toward consolidating elections.

The council could ask voters to weigh in on the date changes as early as August. Since election dates are part of the city's charter, voters would have to approve the change.

Phoenix previously has fought at the Legislature and in court to maintain separate elections, which is why the council's decision surprised some City Hall observers.

Councilman Jim Waring has pushed for consolidated elections for his entire council career, arguing that the move would double, triple — maybe even quadruple — voter turnout and save the city money.

After seven years, he may have convinced the majority of his colleagues.

This vote, however, only directs city staff to research consolidated elections. Several more steps are needed before the question can appear on ballots.

City doesn't match state laws

Last week's vote on consolidated elections came through a citizen's petition — a maneuver that allows any single Phoenix resident to ask the council to vote on any topic.

Marcus Huey submitted the petition in December, asking the city to amend its charter, which is like a constitution for cities, to mirror state laws on elections.

Phoenix's charter says the city will host elections on the first Tuesday in October and the fourth Tuesday of November of every odd-numbered year.

But that's not actually when Phoenix has its elections. They're held the fourth Tuesday in August and the first Tuesday in November.

That's because the state Legislature passed a law in 1996 requiring that all elections be held on one of four dates in March, May, August or November. City Clerk Chris Meyer said the city didn't update its charter because it didn't have to: State law trumps city charters.

But the city's lawyers haven't always seen state law that way.

In 2012, the state Legislature passed a bill that required all Arizona cities to hold council and mayoral elections in August and November of even-numbered years. But Phoenix and Tucson took the state to court and won.

The cities' lawyers successfully argued that the law violated the Arizona Constitution, which allows charter cities to rule on local issues and prohibits the state from overriding decisions.

Council changes its mind

When the 2012 law was passed, the majority of the City Council — including several members that are still serving — opposed it.

"If we let the state take over our home rule, what's the point of having a City Council?" Phoenix Councilman Michael Nowakowski told The Arizona Republic in 2012. "We need to protect our city charter."

Councilwoman Thelda Williams told The Republic in January that she too opposed the state's 2012 mandate.

"I always oppose when the state imposes regulations on cities," William said. "I don't think they should interfere."

But Nowakowski and Williams both backed the citizen petition and said they were open to considering a change if it meant the city would save money.

"If something makes sense and we can save the city of Phoenix some revenues — millions of dollars — then we should look at all different options," Nowakowski said at the council meeting.

Councilwoman Debra Stark and Vice Mayor Laura Pastor, neither of whom were on the council in 2012, joined Nowakowski and Williams in voting for the petition, along with Waring and fellow long-time consolidated elections supporter Councilman Sal DiCiccio.

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What are the benefits?

There's some debate as to whether Phoenix would save money by switching the election dates.

Other cities in the Valley that have made the switch have reported cost savings of hundreds of thousands of dollars, because they share the cost of elections with the county.

But Phoenix City Clerk Chris Meyer said that may not be the case in Phoenix.

He said the cost of regularly-scheduled council and mayoral elections would cost about half of what it costs currently if the city contracted with the county — a savings of about $500,000.

But, Phoenix historically has held several special elections, either to fill vacancies or ask voters to approve tax increases. Those elections would end up costing the city about $1 million more if it contracted with the county, Meyer said.

Waring challenged Meyers' position, suggesting that Phoenix would have to hold a lot of special elections for the city not to see a financial gain over time.

But regardless, Waring said, the voter turnout boost alone would be benefit enough.

When Scottsdale switched to consolidated elections in 2008, voter turnout increased from 15 percent to 85 percent.

Phoenix's voter turnout is generally between 20-30 percent, according to Meyer.

"Really, for no extra cost, we're going to increase voter turnout. I don't know why anybody would stand in the way of voter turnout," Waring said.

Opposition

Most of the opposition to consolidated elections centered on state election procedures that could require independent voters to pick a party ballot in order to cast their vote in the city elections, which are nonpartisan.

Meyer told the council that the Secretary of State's office is revising its elections manual. Although not yet finalized, early drafts of the manual include language requiring independent voters on the Permanent Early Voting List to respond to a postcard stating which party ballot they would like to receive for the August elections.

If independents do not return the post card, they won't be sent a ballot. There are about 150,000 independent Phoenix voters on the Permanent Early Voting List, Meyer said.

This procedure makes sense for statewide primary races since they're divided by Republican, Democrat, Libertarian and Green party. But city races are nonpartisan.

"These are nonpartisan seats. This is a nonpartisan race, and there's a reason for that. It's a nonpartisan way of governing," Councilman Daniel Valenzuela said.

Valenzuela, along with Councilwoman Kate Gallego and Mayor Greg Stanton, opposed the citizen petition, citing concerns that consolidation would disenfranchise independent voters and force voters to think of city elections in a partisan way.

"By asking them to choose between the 'R' ballot and the 'D' ballot to choose their nonpartisan council member or mayor, that is what makes it partisan. We're a nonpartisan body with real work to do," Valenzuela said.

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