VI.2. First Reading Ordinance No. 2024-1213 Amendment of the Hopkins Charter by Ordinance; Domeier
CITY OF HOPKINS
City Council Report 2024-122
To: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
Mike Mornson, City Manager
From: Amy Domeier, City Clerk
Date: October 1, 2024
Subject: Ordinance No. 2024-1213 Amendment of the Hopkins Charter by
Ordinance
_____________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDED ACTION
MOTION TO Approve for First Reading Ordinance 2024-1213 Amendment of the
Hopkins Charter by Ordinance.
OVERVIEW
Staff is proposing amending the Charter to move from odd-year to even-year
municipal elections, update candidate filing language to be consistent with state
statute and changing the process for counting write-in votes.
Both even-year and odd-year elections have their own set of benefits and drawbacks.
City Council races can have a more direct impact on communities. Voter turnout in
odd-year elections is generally lower, but this can also mean that voters who do
participate may have a greater influence on the outcome of the election. Even-year
elections, which typically coincide with major state and federal elections (such as
presidential elections every four years), tend to have higher voter turnout. This is
because they often feature more high-profile races and issues that attract greater
attention from voters. Additionally, the infrastructure for managing elections, such as
polling places and election administration resources, is already in place due to the
state and federal elections. Even-year elections offer a range of benefits that contribute
to a more robust and inclusive democratic process at the local level including higher
voter turnout; streamlined election administration; increased city engagement; and cost
savings. Amending the Charter related to candidate filing would align with the process
and dates outlined in state statute. The current write-in vote counting process is overly
time consuming and unnecessary.
The Ordinance Amendment requires a 5-0 City Council vote to move forward for a
second reading on October 8. If the Ordinance Amendment does not have a unanimous
vote it will be sent back to the Charter Commission.
SUPPORTING INFORMATION
• Ordinance 2024-1213
• Current and proposed City Council terms, election data, cost savings and deadlines
Administration
CURRENT AND PROPOSED CITY COUNCIL TERMS
City Council Seat Current term expires Proposed term expires
Patrick Hanlon, Mayor December 31, 2025 December 31, 2026
Aaron Kuznia, Council Member December 31, 2025 December 31, 2026
Heidi Garrido, Council Member December 31, 2025 December 31, 2026
Ben Goodlund, Council Member December 31, 2027 December 31, 2028
Brian Hunke, Council Member December 31, 2027 December 31, 2028
ELECTION DATA
The LMC has shared the data on municipal elections. The statistics provided are based
on 855 self-reported cities.
o 18 MN cities have odd-year elections
o 10 out of the 18 MN Cites are home rule cities with odd-year elections
o Bloomington
o Duluth
o Hopkins
o Lino Lakes
o Minneapolis
o Minnetonka
o Rushford
o Saint Paul
o St. Louis Park
o White Bear Lake
COST SAVINGS
Odd Year Stats (2013-2021)
Average Turnout 17.50%
Average Annual Cost $60,232.39
Average Cost Per Vote $34.45
Even Year Stats (2014-2022)
Average Turnout 76.60%
Average Annual Cost $62,594.48
Average Cost Per Vote $7.93
Facility Use (2024 rates)
Hopkins Activity Center $900
Hopkins Pavilion $1,690
ELECTION DEADLINES
Moving from odd to even election cycles requires two statutory processes: 1) following
the process in Minn. Stat. 205.07; and ii) amending the City Charter under 410.12.
Process under Minn. Stat. 205.07 – The timeline under Minn. Stat. 205.07 requires
that the city pass an ordinance at least 180 calendar days before the first day to file
candidacy in the next municipal election. The 2025 municipal election in Hopkins is on
November 4. The first day to file under Minn. Stat. 205.13 is 98 days before Election
Day, which is July 29, 2025. 180 days before July 29, 2025, is January 30, 2025.
Meaning the City would be required to enact such an ordinance by January 30, 2025.
The ordinance passed under Minn. Stat. 205.07 must also include a number of different
provisions dictating how the change will impact other implementation elements.
Charter Amendment under Minn. Stat. 410.12 – Timelines for amending the City
Charter will vary depending on if amendment is made by Charter Commission proposal,
City Council proposal, or Charter Commission recommendation that the charter be
amended by ordinance.
Both general statutory process and the charter amendment process include an option
for citizens to submit a petition that would require the question to be put to the voters at
a special or general election. If such a petition were submitted, the timelines would be
delayed.
CITY OF HOPKINS
HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA
ORDINANCE NO. 2024-1213
AMENDMENT OF THE HOPKINS CHARTER BY ORDINANCE
The City Council of the City of Hopkins, upon recommendation of and from the Hopkins City
Charter Commission does hereby ordain and thus amend and adopt the following changes,
deletions, and amendments of or from the following chapters and sections of the Hopkins
City Charter:
SECTION 1. Section 4.01 – Municipal Elections is amended by deleting stricken material
as follows:
Section 4.01. Municipal Elections. The regular election for the choice of the elected
officials of the city shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in
November in odd numbered years beginning in 1995. The city manager shall give
notice of all elections in the manner prescribed by state law for cities of the same
classification as this city, but failure to give such notice shall not invalidate such
election. The regular city election is held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday
in November of even numbered years. The election is held at the place or places
designated by resolution of the city council. Notice of the election is given in the
manner provided by law. Failure to give notice of the election does not invalidate
the election. The council may, by resolution, order a special election on any question
which it desires to submit to a vote of the voters, fix the time for holding the same,
and provide all means for holding such special election. The procedure at such
election shall conform as nearly as possible to that herein provided for other
municipal elections.
SECTION 2. Section 4.02 – Candidates is amended by deleting stricken material as
follows:
Section 4.02. Candidates. A candidate for a city office shall file an affidavit not more
than 70 days and not less than 56 days before the municipal general election with
the city clerk, or application on behalf of any qualified voter of the city whom they
desire to be a candidate may be made as per state law. In either case, The filing
fee shall be $25.00. Such affidavit or application shall state that the candidate is a
qualified voter of the city, and name the office for which he is a candidate. Any
candidate may withdraw not later than 12:00 noon of the day following the last day
for filing by filing a notice of withdrawal with the city clerk. An eligible voter of the
city may file for election in the manner prescribed by law.
The City Council must adopt a resolution requiring a write-in candidate for mayor or
city council who wants their write-in votes to be counted in the general election to file
a written request with the city clerk within the timeline established in Minnesota
Statues, section 204B.09, subdivision 3. All write-in votes cast for candidates who
have not filed a written request to have these votes counted shall be treated
collectively as votes for a single candidate.
SECTION 3. The effective date of this ordinance shall be effective 90 days after publication.
First Reading:
Second Reading:
Date of Publication:
October 1, 2024
October 8, 2024
October 17, 2024
Date Ordinance Takes Effect: January 15, 2025
By_____________________
Patrick Hanlon, Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________
Amy Domeier, City Clerk