City of Madison - File #: 75105

• File #: 75105
• Version: 1
• Name: Staggered Alder Terms Referendum Question
• Type: Resolution
• Status: Passed
• File created: 12/8/2022
• In control: COMMON COUNCIL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
• On agenda: 1/3/2023
• Final action: 1/3/2023
• Enactment date: 1/6/2023
• Enactment #: RES-23-00017
• Title: Authorizing the placement of a binding referendum question related to a charter ordinance establishing staggered terms for alders beginning with the 2025 Spring Election to the electorate on the 2023 Spring Election ballot.
• Sponsors: Erik Paulson

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
1/3/2023	1	COMMON COUNCIL	Adopt under suspension of MGO 2.055	Pass
12/13/2022	1	COMMON COUNCIL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE	RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL WITH THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS - REPORT OF OFFICER	Pass
12/9/2022	1	Attorney's Office	Referred for Introduction

Fiscal Note
[Enter Fiscal Note Here]
Title
Authorizing the placement of a binding referendum question related to a charter ordinance establishing staggered terms for alders beginning with the 2025 Spring Election to the electorate on the 2023 Spring Election ballot.
Body
Title
Authorizing the placement of a binding referendum question related to a charter ordinance establishing staggered terms for alders beginning with the 2025 Spring Election to the electorate on the 2023 Spring Election ballot.

Body
WHEREAS, Madison General Ordinance 3.01(1) establishes two-year terms for alders with all alders being elected at the Spring Election in odd-numbered years; and

WHEREAS, Madison General Ordinance 3.01 was enacted as a Charter Ordinance and has been amended through action of the Common Council and through a binding referendum vote of the City of Madison electorate; and

WHEREAS, Wis. Stat. § 66.0101(8) provides that ”[a] charter ordinance enacted or approved by a vote of the electors controls over any prior or subsequent act of the legislative body of the city or village”; and

WHEREAS, on December 8, 2022, the Common Council adopted an amendment to Madison General Ordinance 3.01(1) which would, beginning with the 2025 Spring Election stagger the terms of alders so that one-half of the Common Council would be elected in odd-numbered years and one-half of the Common Council would be elected in even-numbered year; and

WHEREAS, adoption of said ordinance requires an affirmative vote of City of Madison electors at the 2023 Spring Election.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Madison Common Council hereby directs the City Clerk to place the following question on the ballot for the 2023 Spring Election as a binding referendum:

Shall the Charter Ordinances of the City of Madison be amended to establish staggered two-year terms for members of the Common Council beginning in 2025 with alders in even-numbered districts elected in even-numbered years and ald...