There will be an advisory question on the ballot in this fall’s General Election to ask your opinion on how the Mayor and Council are elected.
This is not a binding question (sometimes referred to as a referendum). It is simply advisory.
The way it is now: The College Park Mayor and Council serve 2-year terms and the entire Council is elected at the same time. These are concurrent terms, with an election held every two years.
The Mayor and Council would like your opinion on the following proposed change: The Mayor and Council would serve 4-year terms, with Council terms staggered, so that 1 seat from each district is elected every 2 years. An election would be held every two years for one-half of the Council.
The advisory question will ask you if you support this change by answering “Yes” or “No”. A “Yes” vote means you support four-year staggered terms for elected officials. A “No” vote means you don’t want to see any changes in how the Mayor and Council are elected now.
This is the question you will see on the ballot:
The Mayor and Council of the City of College Park currently serve two-year terms. They are seeking your input on whether the terms should be four-year, staggered terms. Staggered terms would result in an election every two years for one Council seat from each district, and every four years for the Mayor.
Should the terms for the Mayor and Council be four-year staggered terms? Yes OR No.
Your responses will help the Mayor and Council determine whether to continue discussion on the matter. Discussions will be held at public meetings with additional opportunity for resident input. Any change to Mayor and Council terms would be made through an amendment to the City Charter, which requires a public hearing.
If you have any questions about this advisory ballot question, please contact Janeen S Miller (jsmiller@collegeparkmd.gov), or your City Council representative.