Campaign Press Release
May 6, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ann Arbor Residents Seek Voter-Approved Election Reforms
A grassroots initiative is campaigning for two ballot proposals to make Ann Arbor's local elections more open, inclusive and insulated from special interests.
One proposal, Democracy for Everyone, would amend the city charter to eliminate partisan primaries and make council and mayoral elections nonpartisan contests on the November ballot when turnout is highest. Ann Arbor is one of just 2 of Michigan's 257 municipalities that still hold partisan local elections. Fewer than 10% of eligible voters turn out for partisan primaries in August. Primary winners usually are unopposed in November when turnout is higher. Low-voter primaries and unopposed November races weaken the accountability of candidates to voters.
Voters Not Money, the second proposal, would create public campaign financing with a Fair Election Fund. Candidates for city office who choose to participate would receive a 9-to-1 match on small donations of up to $50. Participating candidates would agree to lower contribution limits and refuse donations from corporations, PACs and other organizations. This reform would counter the outsize influence of wealthy donors and special interests in recent elections where winning candidates spent more than twice as much as successful candidates less than a decade ago.
Similar public financing measures have been adopted in cities like Seattle, Denver, Portland and Evanston to level the playing field and empower more citizens to run for office based on grassroots community support rather than access to big money.
By mid-June signatures of 5% of registered Ann Arbor voters are needed to place the nonpartisan election petition and the campaign finance petition on the November ballot. Organizers believe that these bold reforms will make Ann Arbor a state leader in fair, inclusive and truly representative local democracy. They are calling on residents to volunteer and help gather signatures to advance these initiatives that will strengthen local democracy for Ann Arbor’s future.
