West Chandler voters and their citywide neighbors are being asked this month to cast ballots for a charter amendment that would formalize the city’s cycle of August and November elections in even-numbered years, and authorize January start dates for terms of the mayor and councilmembers.
If approved, the changes would alter an election schedule that has been in place since 2008, conforming to recent changes to state law. The scheduled special election for Proposition 484 will be conducted entirely by mail-in ballot. No voting will take place at the polls.
Chandler Councilman Rick Heumann, who lives in West Chandler, noted that understanding the election cycle may seem a bit confusing, suggesting that voters read the publicity pamphlet they received recently in the mail for details. The pamphlet also may be viewed online at chandleraz.gov/elections, he said. If the measure passes, Heumann said, the city will be able to amend the charter and continue the election process as is. If it does not pass, the city will need to convert back to the election process in place six years ago.
The section of the current charter to be affected is included in the publicity pamphlet identifying the changes.
Registered voters, who were due to be sent a ballot by mail beginning July 29, have been asked to return their voted ballot by mail in the postage-prepaid affidavit envelope provided. Voters are advised to allow sufficient time to mail their ballot in as all ballots must be received no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day, Aug. 25.
Ballots postmarked with an Aug. 25 date will not be counted. Â Beginning Aug. 3, ballots also may be dropped off at the City Clerk’s office in Chandler City Hall, 175 S. Arizona Ave.
For voter convenience, ballots also may be hand carried to other Maricopa County Elections Department sites, locations for which are available by calling 480-782-2180. Replacement ballots may be obtained for voters who did not receive a ballot or who have ballots that are spoiled or destroyed. The Chandler City Clerk’s office will be open on Election Day from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters with questions regarding voting in this Special Election may call the City Clerk’s office at 480-782-2180.
