City of Columbus - File #: 1748-2014

• File #: 1748-2014
• Version: 2
• Type: Ordinance
• Status: Passed
• File created: 7/11/2014
• In control: Rules & Reference Committee
• On agenda: 7/21/2014
• Final action: 7/23/2014
• Title: To submit to the electors of the city of Columbus at a special election to be held concurrently with the regular general election on November 4, 2014, the question of amending the Charter of the City of Columbus, such question to be known as "Proposed Charter Amendment No. 2, City Elections."; and to declare an emergency.
• Sponsors: Andrew Ginther

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
7/23/2014	2	CITY CLERK	Attest
7/22/2014	2	MAYOR	Signed
7/21/2014	2	COUNCIL PRESIDENT	Signed
7/21/2014	1	Columbus City Council	Amended as submitted to the Clerk	Pass
7/21/2014	1	Columbus City Council	Approved as Amended	Pass
7/14/2014	1	Columbus City Council	Read for the First Time

Explanation

This ordinance provides for the submission to the electors of the city of Columbus the question of amending the Charter of the City of Columbus ("charter"), as hereinafter described. Such question is based on the recommendations of the 2014 Columbus Charter Review Commission ("commission").

On June 30, 2014, the Charter Review Commission, appointed by Mayor Michael B. Coleman and Council President Andrew J. Ginther, adopted twenty-one (21) recommendations. A report summarizing those recommendations was submitted on July 7, 2014 and is attached to this ordinance.

Based on council's consideration of the commission's recommendations, council proposes a ballot question regarding elections. Proposed Charter Amendment No. 2, City Elections, addresses the following:

· Renumbers, repeals and reenacts amended provisions regarding nominations and elections.
· All city elections must be conducted pursuant to state law, unless otherwise provided by the charter or ordinance; and elections must be nonpartisan by secret ballot.
· Allows city council to enact ordinances regulating campaign finances and disclosure of contributions for candidates and ballot issues.
· Eliminates all ballot forms in charter; requires printing of summary of questions and issues on the ballot; and retains ability to make modifications to ballots by charter or ordinance of council.
· Requires use of state nominating petition forms.
· Adds "disqualified" to death and withdrawal as conditions to replace candidates in primary or general elections; and uses state law deadlines and processes for withdrawal, replacement.
· Establishes uniform general provisions for the initiative, referendum, recall and charter amendment petitions, as follows:
· Requires the city clerk to provide a petition template for the same.
· Adopts a modified version of state law for municipal petitions, incorporating the following: part-petitions must be circulated as a single instrument; petitions must ...