Cape voters to decide three proposed charter amendments
Three proposed City Charter Amendments will come before voters in the Aug. 18 Primary Election – election of Cape Coral City Council’s mayor pro tem; a new residency requirement for council members and mayor; and proof of residency for candidates eligible to hold office.
The first addresses when Cape Coral City Council will vote to appoint a member of council to act as mayor when the mayor is absent.
The second would change required residency for candidates seeking a seat on Cape Coral City Council within their district.
The third would change how candidates submit proof of residency within their Cape Coral City Council district.
The city’s charter is its bedrock governing document.
While Cape Coral City Council places charter amendments on the ballot, the charter can only be changed by a majority of the city’s voters.
• City Charter Amendment Relating to the Election of the Mayor Pro Tem
This proposal amends the Cape Coral City Charter to clarify that the election of the Mayor Pro Tem shall be by the majority vote of the City Council to be held at the first regular council meeting following each City General Election.
Shall the above-described amendment to the Charter be adopted?
Voters vote yes or no.
If a majority of voters vote no on this amendment, the provision will remain status quo — The mayor pro tem would continue to be elected at the “first council meeting following each City General Election, except in the years in which there is no City General Election, such election shall take place at the first regular City Council meeting on or after the anniversary of the previous City General Election.”
If a majority of voters vote yes on this amendment, it would clarify that the new council would elect the mayor pro-tem regardless of wether a special meeting precedes the first regular meeting after the election.
• City Charter Amendment Relating to Eligibility Requirements of Candidates for Council Member or Mayor
This proposal amends the Cape Coral City Charter to require any Council member candidate be a continuous permanent resident of the District for the entire calendar year immediately preceding their qualification for office, excluding candidates impacted by Section 4.04 of the City Charter, and establishing procedures for complying with the “residency” requirement for a candidate’s permanent legal residency and domicile within the District and City pursuant to the submission of a sworn statement.
Shall the above-described amendment to the Charter be adopted?
Voters vote yes or no.
If a majority of voters vote no on this amendment, the provision will remain status quo — “only qualified electors of the city, who have been continuous full-time residents of the city for the entire calendar year immediately preceding their qualifications for office.”
If a majority of voters vote yes on this amendment, candidates would be required to reside within their respective district for one year prior to qualifying to run for Cape Coral City Council. This does not change qualifying for the office of mayor. The mayoral candidates would have to reside in the city, any district, for one year prior to qualification for the seat.
• City Charter Amendment Relating to the Proof of Residency for Candidates Eligible to Hold Office
This proposal amends the Cape Coral City Charter to require eligible candidates for the office of Mayor or Council member to submit a sworn statement identifying their permanent legal residency and domicile, affirming that the candidate meets the residency requirements of Section 4.02 of the City’s Charter, and submission of two (2) documents establishing proof of residency pursuant to those acceptable documents set forth within new Section 4.05(c)(2) of the City’s Charter.
Shall the above-described amendment to the Charter be adopted?
Voters vote yes or no.
If a majority of voters vote no on this amendment, the provision would remain status quo — a sworn statement signed under oath declaring that the candidate is a bonafide resident of the district and city would not be required by the city. There would be no city document providing for a penalty of criminal violation if a false affidavit has been submitted.
If a majority of voters vote yes on this amendment, candidates would need to provide additional documentation of established residency within their district. To qualify to run for their district seat, they also would have to swear that the permanent legal residency and domicile submitted is accurate.
To reach Meghan Bradbury, please email news@breezenewspapers.com