HomeMy Public PortalAbout2011_11_15_R136 Initiating TC Amendments Charter and Election ChangeThe Town of
Leesburg,
Virginia
PRESENTED: November 15. 2011
RESOLUTION NO. 2011 -136 ADOPTED: November 15, 2011
A RESOLUTION: INITIATING AMENDMENTS TO THE TOWN PART I CHARTER
CHAPTER 2 §2 -2. TOWN COUNCIL GENERALLY; MAYOR;
MAYOR PRO TEMPORE; POWERS AND DUTIES, SEC. 2 -2
THROUGH 2 -3 CONCERNING THE ELECTION DATE OF THE
MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF TOWN COUNCIL; ADDING SEC. 2 -4
NON - PARTISAN ELECTIONS
WHEREAS, a petition was filed by citizens of the Town of Leesburg with the Loudoun
County Circuit Court requesting a referendum be held to require the Town of Leesburg to change
the election date of the Mayor and members of the Town Council from a May general election to
a November general election in even numbered years; and
WHEREAS, The Loudoun County Circuit Court entered an Order dated, April 11, 2011
certifying the question concerning the change in the general election date and ordered that the
referendum be held; and
WHEREAS, the referendum to change the date of the election was approved by the
voters; and
WHEREAS, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 requires that the D.O.J. be notified of the
proposed change and seek preclearance; and
WHEREAS, if the proposed change is approved by the D.O.J., the Town Charter will no
longer accurately reflect when elections are to be held; and
WHEREAS, Town elections have been traditionally non - partisan; the change in election
date from May to November can become partisan elections unless the Town Charter specifically
states that the town election will be non - partisan; and
WHEREAS, initiating the following Charter Amendments will reflect the dates that
elections are to be held:
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A RESOLUTION: INITIATING AMENDMENTS TO THE TOWN PART I CHARTER
CHAPTER 2 §2 -2. TOWN COUNCIL GENERALLY; MAYOR; MAYOR PRO
TEMPORE; POWERS AND DUTIES, SEC. 2 -2 THROUGH 2 -3
CONCERNING THE ELECTION DATE OF THE MAYOR AND MEMBERS
OF TOWN COUNCIL; ADDING SEC. 2 -4 NON - PARTISAN ELECTIONS
Part I Charter Chapter 2 § 2 -2
Chapter 2 (Town Council Generally; Mayor; Mayor Pro Tempore; Powers and Duties)
Section 2 -2 (Election; composition; terms of office) Councilmen shall be elected to four -year
terms in the November general election in even - numbered years in the manner herein provided.
Three councilmen shall be elected in the general elections held in November 2012, and in
general elections held every four years thereafter. Three councilmen shall be elected in the
general elections held in November 2014, and in general elections held every four years
thereafter; and
Section 2 -3 (Election of mayor; term of office and vice - mayor) In the general election in
November of every two years commencing November 2012, the mayor shall be elected for a
term of two years, beginning on January Is' of the following year of his election; and
At its first regular meeting after January Is' in the following year a mayor is elected, the
tcouncil shall elect from among its members a vice - mayor; and
Section 2 -4 All elections for the Mayor and members of Town council shall be non-
partisan.
THEREFORE, RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Leesburg in Virginia that:
SECTION 1. Amendments to the Town Charter are hereby initiated and referred to the
Town Attorney and staff to make changes to the Town Charter, to make corrections and
clarifications and, to make changes that address compliance with the referendum as passed.
SECTION 2. The Town Council shall hold a public hearing to consider these changes to
the Town Charter for adoption.
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A RESOLUTION: INITIATING AMENDMENTS TO THE TOWN PART I CHARTER
CHAPTER 2 §2 -2. TOWN COUNCIL GENERALLY; MAYOR; MAYOR PRO
TEMPORE; POWERS AND DUTIES, SEC. 2 -2 THROUGH 2 -3
CONCERNING THE ELECTION DATE OF THE MAYOR AND MEMBERS
OF TOWN COUNCIL; ADDING SEC. 2 -4 NON - PARTISAN ELECTIONS
PASSED this 15th day of November, 2011.
Kra . Uhistattd, ayor
Town of Leesburg
AT E T:
Clerk o C ciI
R \Resolutions \Resolutions 201 1\1 115 Initiating Charter Change and Code Amendment - Elections.doc