City of Gresham - Measure 26-140
BALLOT TITLE
FILLING COUNCIL VACANCIES: CITY OF GRESHAM CHARTER AMENDMENT
QUESTION:Shall the Charter be amended to elect a successor to a vacated elective office at the next biennial November election?
SUMMARY:This measure would amend the Gresham Charter to require the election of a successor for the unexpired term of a vacated elective office at the next biennial November election. A biennial election is held in each even numbered year.
This measure would take effect when approved by at least sixty percent (60%) of the votes cast for or against this measure.
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
The Gresham Charter is the constitution of the City of Gresham. The current Charter was adopted in 1978 and last amended by Gresham voters in 2004. The Charter requires City Council to appoint a charter review committee every eight years beginning in 2003. Seven community volunteers were appointed in 2011 to serve on the committee. This amendment was discussed by the committee and referred to the voters by the Gresham City Council.
Current Charter language does not provide a specific date for when an election would be held for the unexpired term of a vacant elective office. This measure would amend the Charter to require the successor be elected at the next biennial November election. A biennial election is held in each even numbered year. This amendment would create a simple and consistent date for voters to elect the successor for the unexpired term.
If amended, Section 32(a) of the Gresham Charter would read:
FILLING OF VACANCIES
(a) Vacant elective offices in the city shall be filled by appointment by a majority vote of the council within thirty days of the date the vacancy occurred. The appointee's term shall begin immediately upon his or her appointment until the beginning of the year following the next biennial November election or until his or her successor is elected and qualifies therefore. An elected successor for the unexpired term shall be chosen at the next biennial November election. available election date. In order to be an available election date: (1)The date the vacancy occurred must be: (i)more than thirty days before the filing deadline for that election date; and (ii) at least one year before the election date established by Charter for that incumbent’s position but for the vacancy; and (2) There must be at least one other issue or candidate on the ballot for that date.
(New text is underlined; deleted text is strikethrough)
This measure would take effect when approved by at least sixty percent (60%) of the votes cast for or against this measure
For more information go to http://greshamoregon.gov/charterreview
Submitted by:
Susanjoy Baskoro,
City Recorder
City of Gresham