|
|
STRATEGIC OUTCOMES |
ACTION |
|
Department: |
☐ Safe & Prosperous |
☐ Motion |
|
City Administration |
☐ Active & Appealing |
☐ Resolution |
|
|
☐ Respected & Responsible |
☐ Ordinance - Introduction |
|
Division: |
☒ Connected & Engaged |
☒ Ordinance - Adoption |
|
Adminstration |
☐ Unique & Creative |
☐ Public Hearing |
TITLE:
title
City of Yuma Proposition 437: Signatures on Nomination Petitions
end
SUMMARY RECOMMENDATION:
Summary Recommendation
Authorize the submission of Proposition 437 to the qualified electors of the City of Yuma at the November 3, 2026, Special Election, asking whether to approve a City Charter change that will reduce the number of signatures required on nomination petitions for City elected office. (City Administration) (Jay Simonton)
end
STRATEGIC OUTCOME:
Authorizing the submission of Proposition 437 to the November 2026 ballot allows eligible voters to decide whether to reduce the number of signatures required for nomination petitions to appear on the primary ballot for elected office. This supports the City Council’s strategic outcome of Connected and Engaged.
REPORT:
title
In November 2020, City of Yuma voters approved a charter amendment changing the City’s elections from odd numbered years to comply with state law which currently requires elections in even numbered years. Since 2022, the City of Yuma holds candidate elections during the even years of presidential and gubernatorial cycles.
With the resulting increase in the number of ballots cast, the number of signatures required for nomination for a City primary election has increased, resulting in many candidates for City elected offices falling short of sufficient signatures to qualify for the primary ballot. This has occurred for both judicial and City Council candidates. The effect has been exacerbated by the legislature’s passage of HB2022 which advanced the primary dates by two weeks and therefore the date nomination petitions must be submitted to the City Clerk. The deadline for nomination petitions now occurs before the Yuma County Fair opens, which has traditionally been a forum in which many candidates meet with the public and collect signatures.
A simple one-word charter change is proposed which will base the number of petition signatures for the primary election on the number of ballots cast in the preceding primary municipal election. Currently the charter bases the threshold on ballots cast in the preceding general municipal election. The ballot question will be worded as shown below (strikethrough text indicates proposed deletions and underlined bold text indicates proposed additions):
Proposition 437
SHALL ARTICLE IV - ELECTIONS, SECTION 6 - NOMINATION FOR PRIMARY ELECTION, BE AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS:
The City Council, by ordinance, shall direct the City Clerk to make available to all candidates for any City office a petition form for nomination at a primary election. The nomination form must contain the signatures of qualified electors of the City aggregating not less than three percent (3%) nor more than five percent (5%) of the total number of valid ballots cast at the last preceding primary general municipal election. The petitions shall be presented to the City Clerk in accordance with state law. The City Clerk shall certify the petition indicating that the required number of signatures of qualified electors has been obtained and such certification shall cause the candidate's name to be printed on the ballot.
A “YES” vote shall have the effect of adopting the proposed change.
A “NO” vote shall have the effect of not adopting the proposed change.
SHALL THE ABOVE-DESCRIBED AMENDMENT BE ADOPTED?
_____ YES _____ NO
Adoption of this ordinance will authorize the submission of Proposition 437 to the qualified voters for consideration at the November 3, 2026, Election and direct the City Clerk to place the measure on the ballot in accordance with election procedures.
FISCAL REQUIREMENTS:
|
CITY FUNDS: |
$ 0.00 |
BUDGETED: |
$ 0.00 |
|
STATE FUNDS: |
$ 0.00 |
AVAILABLE TO TRANSFER: |
$ 0.00 |
|
FEDERAL FUNDS: |
$ 0.00 |
IN CONTINGENCY: |
$ 0.00 |
|
OTHER SOURCES: |
$ 0.00 |
FUNDING ACCOUNT/FUND #/CIP: |
|
TOTAL |
$ 0.00 |
- |
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT:
None
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS NOT ATTACHED TO THE CITY COUNCIL ACTION FORM THAT ARE ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK:
None
IF CITY COUNCIL ACTION INCLUDES A CONTRACT, LEASE OR AGREEMENT, WHO WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ROUTING THE DOCUMENT FOR SIGNATURE AFTER CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL?
☐ Department
☐ City Clerk’s Office
☐ Document to be recorded
☐ Document to be codified
|
Acting City Administrator: |
Date: |
|
John D. Simonton |
05/27/2026 |
|
Reviewed by City Attorney: |
Date: |
|
Richard W. Files |
05/26/2026 |