Commission revisits referendum on election day move

In January, the City Commission approved ballot language for a referendum asking voters whether to move municipal elections from spring of odd-numbered years to fall of even-numbered years.

Still, on Monday — a week before the final vote to approve the referendum — the commission held an hour-long workshop to hear testimony from four guest speakers on the advantages and drawbacks of the change.

The decision to hold the workshop, taken together with the 3-2 vote to approve the ballot language, suggests some degree of uncertainty remains regarding whether the city will move forward with the referendum.

The discussion Monday rehashed several common arguments for and against moving election day. Fall elections would likely save money and increase voter turnout, but they could also invite a series of new issues that would impact the character of — and average voter interest in — city elections.

If the commission approves the referendum, the question will be placed on November’s ballot.

Here are some of the issues raised and addressed at Monday’s workshop, as well as statistics that might guide the commission’s decision-making at its April 18 meeting.