HomeMy WebLinkAbout045 - 04/04/2023 - AMENDING CHAPTER 7 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS RELATING TO CANDIDACY IN A MUNICIPAL ELECORDINANCE NO.045,2023
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
AMENDING CHAPTER 7 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
RELATING TO CANDIDACY IN A MUNICIPAL ELECTION
WHEREAS,on November 8,2022,the voters of the city of Fort Collins approved a Charter
amendment moving the City’s regular municipal election from April to November in odd-
numbered years;and
WHEREAS,the City Code contains provisions relating to the nomination of candidates,
withdrawal from candidacy,and write-in candidates;and
WHEREAS,the deadlines contained in the City Code for these matters make it challenging
to prepare ballots for mailing by the appropriate deadline;and
WHEREAS,regardless of whether the November regular election is conducted by the City
or as an election coordinated with Larimer County,staff recommends amending the deadlines to
conform to the requirements of the Colorado Uniform Election Code of 1992 (Colorado Revised
Statutes Title 1,Articles 1 through 13)(the “UEC”);and
WHEREAS,conforming to the deadlines contained in the UEC will provide consistency
for all candidates for municipal office under the provisions of the UEC,the Colorado Municipal
Election Code of 1965 (Colorado Revised Statutes Title 31,Article 10),or the Fort Collins City
Code;and
WHEREAS,conforming to the deadlines contained in the UEC also provides adequate
time to certi&candidates and prepare ballots,regardless of whether the election is conducted by
the City or Larimer County.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS as follows:
Section 1.That the City Council hereby makes and adopts the determinations and
findings contained in the recitals set forth above.
Section 2.That Section 7-103 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins be amended to read
as follows:
Sec.7-103.Write-in candidates.
No write-in vote for a candidate for City Council office shall be counted unless the person whose
name appears as the write-in vote has filed an affidavit of intent with the City Clerk,no later than
the close of business sixty-four (64)days before the election,indicating that such person desires
and is qualified for the office.
Section 3.That Section 7-116 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins be amended to
read as follows:
Sec.7-116.Nomination of candidates;withdrawal from candidacy.
(a)A nominating petition required pursuant to Article VIII of the Charter may not be circulated
earlier than ninety-one (91)days before the election and must be filed with the City Clerk not later
seventy-one (71)days before the election.The petition may be amended to replace signatures that
the City Clerk finds are not in apparent conformity with the requirements of the City Charter at
any time no later than sixty-seven (67)days before the election.
(b)A person who has been nominated may,not later than sixty-three (63)days before the
election,withdraw by filing with the City Clerk a request therefor in writing,and no name so
withdrawn shall be placed upon the ballot.
Introduced,considered favorably on first reading,and ordered published this 21st day of
March,2023,and to be presented for final passage on the 4th day of April,3.~
ATTEST:
City Clerk f C%s’eP t’r’i:3
Passed and adopted on final reading this 4th day of April,2023.
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ATTEST:,1
City Clerk