6.6. SR 03-02-1998ity of
MEMORANDUM
Item 6.6.
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Mayor and City Council
Sandra Thackeray, City Clerk
March 2, 1998
Consider Ordinance Amendment to
Officially Establish Municipal Primary
Elections in the City of Elk River
As far as I know, the City has always held municipal primary
elections if the number of candidates filing for offices exceeded two.
Minn. Statute indicates the following:
Minn. Statute #205.065 Subd. 2
The governing body of a city may, by ordinance or resolution adopted
at least three months before the next municipal general election, elect
to choose nominees for municipal offices by a primary as provided in
this section. The resolution or ordinance, when adopted, is effective
for all ensuing municipal elections until it is revoked. The municipal
clerk shall notify the secretary of state and the county auditor within
30 days after the adoption of the resolution or ordinance.
I have researched the city's records and found no evidence that a
resolution or ordinance was adopted to establish municipal primary
elections in Elk River. I contacted the Secretary of State's office and
was informed that it would be a good idea to formally establish
municipal primary elections in our city.
ACTION REQUESTED
As a housekeeping item, I am proposing that the Council adopt the
attached ordinance amendment which formally establishes
municipal primary elections in the city of Elk River.
s:\council\memoprim, doe
13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · TDD & Phone: (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425
ORD INA/~CE 98-
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ELK RIVER
ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 3 OF THE CITY OF ELK RIVER CODE OF
ORDINANCES ENTITLED ~ELECTIONS" BY ADDING SECTION 304
ESTABLISHING ~K/NICIPA/~ PRIMARY ELECTIONS
Section 1. Chapter 3 City of Elk River Code of Ordinances
entitled "Elections" is hereby amended by adding Section 304 -
Municipal Primary Elections which shall read as follows:
SECTION 304 - MUNICIPAL PRIMARY ELECTIONS
304.00 - Date of Primary Election.
A municipal primary election for the purpose of nominating
elective officers may be held in the city of Elk River on the
first Tuesday after the second Monday in September of any year in
which a municipal general election is to be held for the purpose
of electing officers.
304.02 - Primary Election Candidates.
When more than twice the number of individuals to be elected to
the municipal office file for nomination for the office, their
names shall be placed upon the primary ballot.
304.04 - General Election Candidates.
Within two days after the primary, the city council shall canvass
the returns, and the two candidates for each office who receive
the highest number of votes shall be nominees for the office
named. Their names shall be placed on the municipal general
election ballot.
304.06 - Effective for all Ensuing Municipal Elections.
This ordinance, when adopted, is effective for all ensuing
municipal elections until it is revoked.
Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect upon publication as
provided by law.
Passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Elk River
this 2nd day of March, 1998.
ATTEST:
Henry A. Duitsman, Mayor
Sandra A. Thackeray, City Clerk
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