TITLE
An Ordinance of the Mayor and City Council of the City of Maricopa, Arizona, amending section 2.10.040 of the Maricopa City Code to change the basis for the calculation of a majority of votes cast at a Primary Election. Discussion and Action.
AGENDA ITEM DESCRIPTION
In 2012, the City consolidated its elections with the State election cycle pursuant to A.R.S §16-204. Because the turnout was going to be considerably higher, the City decided to adopt an alternative method of calculating a majority of votes cast based on the votes for mayor instead of total ballots cast so that more candidates would get elected at the Primary Election. At the time, the mayor was elected every two years so this method worked.
The legislature later adopted a new way to calculate a majority of votes cast which we used whenever the mayor was not on the ballot. Because the mayor is now elected every 4 years, using two different way to calculate a majority of votes cast causes confusion. This Ordinance will eliminate the calculation formerly adopted by the City and will only utilize what is set forth in A.R.S §9-821.01.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends adoption of this Ordinance.