2020 OKC Charter Amendments
The following information was created and shared by the League of Women Voters of Oklahoma County. We are cross-posting it here with their permission.
The Oklahoma City Council called a special election on Nov. 3 for proposed City Charter amendments that are primarily intended to modernize wording, address inconsistencies and resolve discrepancies with state law.
The proposed changes were introduced August 4 and the approved for the ballot at the final hearing during the City Council meeting on August 18. The election will be the same day as the November 3 nationwide general election, but on a separate ballot available to all Oklahoma City voters at their usual polling place or via mail if voting absentee.
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The OKC Municipal Counselors office and Former LWVOK President, Jean McLaughlin, has assisted the LWV of Oklahoma County with the following summary to prepare voters with this information before voting.The City Charter is like the City constitution and can only be changed by Voters. The purpose of these propositions (amendments) is to delete obsolete wording, improve clarification, achieve consistency with state law and make minor changes for improved government functioning. There are no tax issues. Oklahoma City Voters will receive a separate ballot with the 9 propositions at the polls or if they vote by mail.
LWVOKC Explanations of the 9 proposed City Charter Amendments:
Proposition 1 relates to Mayor and City council elections. The name of the February “primary” election would become the “general” election and the April “general” election will become the “run-off” election. It lengthens the time when elected officers take office from one week to four weeks after the April run-off election. The Mayor and Councilmembers will continue to have overlapping 4-year terms.
Proposition 2 relates to the qualifications for the offices of Mayor and Council members and reformats the section for easier reading. To file as a candidate a person:
A. Must be a citizen of the United States and Oklahoma
B. Must be at least 21 years of age
C. Must have been a resident of Oklahoma City for at least one year before filing for office. The wording in the current Charter requires 3 years of residency that may be found unconstitutional if challenged.
D. The Mayor must have been a registered voter in Oklahoma City for at least one year.
E. A City Council candidate representing a ward must have been a registered voter at an address within the ward for at least one year. Previously, a 6-month residency was required.
Proposition 3 provides for filling a vacancy in the office of Mayor. If the vacancy were to occur within the first three years of the Mayor’s term, Council would have 30 days instead of 15 days to call a special election. If the vacancy occurs within the final year of the Mayor's term of office, it shall be filled by a majority vote of the Council within 30 days instead of the prior 15 days.
Proposition 4 relates to when regular meetings of the City Council will be held. The current language states that meetings will be held every Tuesday. This is changed to read: meetings will be held at such times as the Council may designate by ordinance to reflect current practice.
Proposition 5 relates to the City Manager having exclusive control of city employees. A new section is added to state that the Mayor and any Councilmember may provide information to the City Manager regarding the positive or negative performance of any officer or employee under the City Manager. This information must be based on direct personal knowledge or on a signed written statement provided by a resident.
Proposition 6 relates to the two divisions of the city government and specifies more clearly their responsibilities. The Division of Public Affairs under the Mayor and the City Council shall include the City Manager, Municipal Counselor, City Auditor, Municipal Judges, and all City boards, commissions and committees created by the Mayor or City Council. The Division of Public Management shall comprise all city departments, functions, agencies, commissions and boards not placed under the Division of Public Affairs.
Proposition 7 would be a new section in the City Charter that changes the terms of Councilman and Councilmen to consistently refer to such officers as Councilmember, Councilmembers, Councilor, or Councilors as grammatically appropriate.
Proposition 8 would amend the charter to add the word “welfare” to the list of reasons for enacting and enforcing ordinances. The new wording is: ordinances may be enacted to protect health, safety, welfare, life, or property.
Proposition 9 prohibits City officers and employees from accepting anything of value from certain privately owned businesses within the city that is not granted to the general public. This prohibition applies to any transportation business or utility company that has a franchise or contract with the city. The wording of this section is changed to more clearly state its intent.
