(COLDWATER) - The Coldwater City Council has approved a plan to change when city elections are held, with the goal of boosting voter turnout and cutting costs.
Council members voted Monday night to shift municipal elections from odd-numbered years to even-numbered years. State law allows Michigan cities to make the change without altering their city charters, but final approval must come from the Michigan Secretary of State. If approved, the change would take effect at the end of this year. Current city council members would have their four-year terms extended by one year, and Mayor Tom Kramer's term would run through 2028.
City Clerk Shauna Chavez says turnout in Coldwater's odd-year elections has been extremely low, hovering just above eight percent in recent cycles. She believes aligning city elections with statewide races will increase participation and reduce administrative costs. The city estimates savings of about 18-thousand dollars every two years. Final action on the ordinance is scheduled for January 12th.