Following Whitmer’s Ruling, Proposed East Lansing Charter Amendment Won’t Go to Ballot

Following a ruling by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, a controversial East Lansing City Charter amendment won’t come to this November’s ballot after all.

The amendment, if passed by voters, would have changed the years East Lansing voters elect City Council members from odd- to even-numbered years. Analysis by ELi showed it would have substantially changed voting in Council elections.

On July 11, three members of City Council – Mayor Ron Bacon, Mayor Pro Tem Jessy Gregg and Dana Watson – voted to move this Charter change to the November ballot, with George Brookover and Noel Garcia voting against.

According to a letter dated today (Aug. 15) from Whitmer to East Lansing City Clerk Marie Wicks, a review by the Attorney General’s office found “the proposed amendment conflicts with the Home Rule City Act and does not otherwise comply with the Michigan Election Law.” (See the letter here.)

ELi reported Sunday (Aug. 13) the city attorney told Council this matter was in the hands of the governor.

The proposed amendment has garnered much attention locally and had been shaping up to be a point of debate in the November City Council elections.

Three Charter amendment ballot proposals are now set to be on the November ballot.

One is aimed at bringing into line local swearing-in dates with state law requirements regarding ballot-counting. A second, if passed, would increase the size of Council from five to seven members. Council voted 4-1 on July 11 to put these proposed amendments on the ballot.

ELi reported Sunday (Aug. 13) that another proposed amendment, brought through a citizen petition, would institute ranked-choice voting and allow Council to call for special elections to fill a Council vacancy.

Both changes proposed in the citizen-organized ballot initiative currently conflict with state law, according to City Attorney Tony Chubb. This resulted in a situation that caused a conundrum for Council when it was required to decide what language to present to voters on the ballot. (Read more here.)

This is a breaking story and may be updated.