By Mayor Ralph Echtinaw

City council voted 4-1 on April 20, to authorize the administration to develop a plan to switch local elections from odd-numbered years to even-numbered years.

There are two options.

The charter amendment method requires a council resolution and state government approval to have the question placed on the Aug. 6 primary ballot or the Nov. 5 general election ballot.

However, the attorney general recommends a method outlined in Public Act 523 that does NOT require a vote of the electorate. If we go that route, the only way you can get your two cents in is at a public hearing. That’s how Alma made the move from odd-year elections to even-year elections 11 years ago. 

The impetus

This was done in response to a successful 2022 statewide ballot proposal that requires cities and townships to accommodate in-person voting over nine days leading up to each election. That doesn’t apply to local elections, however, so St. Louis could do nothing and continue to have odd-year elections with no early in-person voting.

But City Manager Kurt Giles and Clerk Jamie Long recommend that city council take steps to make the switch to even-year elections.

Here’s what they told city council to support their view:

Although local elections are exempt from the nine-day early voting rule, that might change someday.

Voters might get confused and try to vote early in odd year city elections.

Elections cost upwards of $5,000, and the city would have that much in savings by switching to even-year elections.

Asked by email to explain his support for the switch, Mayor Pro-Tem Bill Leonard said this: “Need to come into compliance with rest of country. Need to be on general ballot to save taxpayers money. General ballot will produce more votes for city council which always has been dismal. Being on general ballot will save big money and look more professional.”

Councilman Ferris Azzam had this to say: “My reason is that makes it easier for the city officials and less expensive. As for the voters I believe it will bring in more people to vote rather than fewer. Having local and state wide election at the same time is less confusing for the voters!!!”

Council members Kevin Palmer and Liz Upton did not respond to the Sentinel’s request for comment.

This reporter/mayor was the sole vote against the proposal. My attitude is… if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. There is no compelling legal reason to make the move to even-year elections. With odd-year elections, voters can choose city council members without the distraction of dozens of other candidates for other offices. If the city moves to even-year elections, council candidates will be lost in a sea of gubernatorial candidates, presidential candidates, senators, congress members, university boards, judges, ballot proposals and more.

Council candidates would get more votes in even-year elections for sure, but I seriously doubt the additional voters would be any more informed about city government than the 300 or so who vote in odd-year city elections.

Get your two cents in

City council members would like to hear what residents have to say about this. You can start by commenting on this article. Everything you say for or against the proposal will be shared with council members. You can also attend our next meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 7. We have public comments early in the meeting, so you can tell us what you think and leave immediately, if you like. (Or you can stick around and watch us legislate.)