Petition Drive for Election Reform Proposals
Sunday, June 9, 11:30am, Social Hall
Visit the UUCivs table and review two proposals that would change how Ann Arbor runs and funds its elections.
Proposal 1: Make City Council and Mayoral elections nonpartisan and eliminate the August primary.
Rationale: Ann Arbor residents and candidates largely identify as Democrats, so the winner of the August primary (with a much lower turnout) often runs unopposed in November. Voters would choose based on candidates’ ideas rather than their party affiliation.
Note: Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti are the only two Michigan municipalities that still have partisan elections.
Proposal 2: Establish small donor matching fund to assist candidates who don’t accept money from PACs or corporate interests.
Rationale: This program would counteract the influence of wealthy donors, PACs, and special interests on Council and Mayoral campaigns.
Note: Public financing programs exist in 14 states and 25 local governments.