HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Election Code Committee - 02/28/2022 -
City of Fort Collins Page 1
February 28, 2022
ELECTION CODE COMMITTEE MEETING
12:00 PM
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Arndt, Canonico, Ohlson
STAFF PRESENT: Kyle Stannert, Rita Knoll, Ryan Malarky, Tammi Pusheck, Carrie Daggett, Anissa
Hollingshead
CITIZENS PRESENT: Joe Rowan, Robbie Moreland, Jody DesChenes, Steve Lucas
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
Joe Rowan suggested items being discussed for ballot consideration should be brought forward by
citizens, not Council. He also stated there needs to be more robust conversation about the implications
and costs of making various changes to the election process.
Robbie Moreland stated she is looking forward to the discussion on ranked choice voting and she
presented postcards from residents in support of the placement of the topic on the November ballot.
She commented on the difference between the City and state regarding disclosure requirements for
contributions collected by independent expenditure groups.
Jody DesChenes expressed support for the placement of ranked choice voting on the November ballot.
She stated ranked choice voting is not more difficult nor more expensive than a regular election.
Steve Lucas, Citizens for a Sustainable Economy, commented on myths regarding successes of ranked
choice voting. He cited various election situations and stated ranked choice voting disenfranchises
voters. He also stated moving elections to November will increase election costs. He commented on
the number of towns that have repealed ranked choice voting.
4. PUBLIC COMMENT FOLLOW-UP
Mayor Arndt stated the costs associated with ranked choice voting should be researched and she
concurred the disclosure requirements for independent expenditure committees should be changed.
Councilmember Ohlson concurred. Chief Deputy City Clerk Knoll noted that would require a Code
change.
Chair Canonico requested additional information on communities that have repealed ranked choice
voting. Councilmember Ohlson concurred that would be valuable information to have for the upcoming
work session.
5. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF THE JANUARY 10, 2022 COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
Councilmember Ohlson made a motion, seconded by Mayor Arndt, to adopt and approve the meeting
minutes of January 10, 2022. The motion was adopted unanimously.
6. REDISTRICTING UPDATE
Chief Deputy City Clerk Knoll stated the County’s redistricting data has recently been received and GIS
is now moving forward with the City’s efforts. She stated the plan is for an April or May presentation of
the information.
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7. ELECTION TIMING AND ADMINISTRATIVE OPTIONS DISCUSSION
City Clerk Hollingshead stated staff would like to walk through potential alternatives for a work session
discussion. She discussed pros and cons of election timing in terms of maintaining April elections or
moving to November elections of either odd or even years.
Councilmember Ohlson commented on the direction being provided to staff to be prepared for an April
2023 election.
Chair Canonico asked when the state will be requiring counties to be prepared to handle ranked choice
voting. City Clerk Hollingshead replied it is a soft requirement for November of 2023.
Members discussed the various effects of changing from April to November elections, particularly on
Council terms.
City Attorney Daggett noted any changes to Council terms that would result from a switch to November
elections would also need to be part of the voter approval, but would not necessarily need to be written
into the Charter.
Mayor Arndt asked if there are other municipalities that conduct local elections in November of odd
years. City Clerk Hollingshead replied there are many, including Loveland and Greeley.
City Clerk Hollingshead presented information regarding the effects of April versus November elections
on ranked choice voting in terms of responsibilities. She also discussed what items would be included
on the ballots for April versus November elections and listed advantages and disadvantages of having
elections remain in April versus switching to November.
Members also discussed the effects of the timing of taking office for April versus November elections.
City Attorney Daggett noted the timeframe between the election and swearing in has increased due to
Charter changes that allow for more time for receiving overseas ballots and conducting recounts if
needed.
City Clerk Hollingshead discussed a meeting with County Clerk Myers regarding what the City could
anticipate in working with the County in coordinated elections. She discussed the cost allocation for
coordinated elections and noted all ranked choice voting costs of those elections would be passed on to
the City.
City Clerk Hollingshead outlined the various deadlines that would change with a shift to November
elections. She also discussed public outreach and voter education regarding ranked choice voting.
She showed examples of ballots that include ranked choice voting and ballots for even versus odd
years.
City Attorney Daggett noted the County will be following state standards when conducting elections.
Chief Deputy City Clerk Knoll noted ranked choice voting is only an option for municipal candidates, not
school board.
Councilmember Ohlson noted changes, even if met with resistance initially, are always doable.
Mayor Arndt asked City Clerk Hollingshead if more candidates ran for office when ranked choice voting
was implemented. City Clerk Hollingshead replied in the affirmative.
Malarkey suggested an additional ECC meeting may need to be scheduled prior to the March 21st
meeting in advance of the March 22nd work session. Members concurred and determined the
remaining items on this agenda will be discussed at that additional meeting.
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8. SCOPE OF WORK DISCUSSION ON POTENTIAL BALLOT QUESTIONS AND DIRECTION FOR
STAFF
9. CAMPAIGN FINANCE COMPARISON TO STATE LAW
Chief Deputy City Clerk Knoll stated, in most cases, the City Code is somewhat stricter and more
transparent than the state law, and the only major difference is related to the independent expenditure
committees’ contribution reporting.
10. PROPOSED TIMELINE
11. FUTURE ELECTION CODE COMMITTEE DATES WITH SCHEDULING CONFLICTS
12. OTHER BUSINESS
13. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned by unanimous consent at 1:33 PM
MINUTES APPROVED AT THE MARCH 21, 2022 ELECTION CODE COMMITTEE MEETING