HomeMy WebLinkAboutA002 - Memo from Erwin Klaas dated July 6, 2006, requesting special election C TP
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Memorandum JUL - 7
CITY CLERK
July 6, 2006
CITY OF AMES,IOWA
To: Mayor Campbell and Ames City Council
From: Erwin Klaas, Ames Citizens for Better Local Government
RE: Setting a date for a special election in Ward 2
Any election is important in a democratic society and citizens should be given ample
opportunity to participate in the democratic process.
Ames Citizens for Better Local Government respectfully requests that you fill the
impending vacancy on council by a special election and not by a permanent appointment.
(We understand that a temporary appointment may be necessary to conform to state and
city codes.) We are prepared to obtain the necessary signatures to require such a special
election.
We further request that the date of the election be November 7 or December 5, 2006. We
understand that September 5 is also an option for the council to consider. This date is
unacceptable to us for the following reasons:
1. It will be very difficult for prospective candidates to file their nomination papers,
organize a committee, conduct a fair campaign, and reach out to the entire ward in that
short of a time period.
2. This ward includes University Village, Schilleter Village, and Fredrickson Courts. We
estimate that more than 2000 students live in Ward 2. Many of these students will have
returned to campus for only a short time and we believe their voting rights will be
seriously hindered by setting the election for this early date.
3. Many university faculty and other citizens in Ames take vacation in August because it
is the month that will most accommodate their work schedules. Catching up on work and
getting prepared for the opening of classes is an extremely busy time.
4. The school board election is September 12. Holding two important elections a week
apart is not a good idea.
Thank you for seriously considering these points in your deliberations. It would be
extremely imprudent to ignore these factors and rush into a special election.
Ames Citizens for Better Local Government is a political action committee registered with the Iowa State Ethics Board and dedicated
to electing leaders who will fully embrace community well-being.