Hello! Thanks for visiting us at Keep Local Elections Local.

On November 3, voters will decide East Lansing Proposal II, which would move City Council elections from odd-numbered years to even-numbered years. We urge a No vote on East Lansing Proposal II.

Our City Council elections are held in odd years by design. It’s been that way since the City was founded and there are good reasons to keep it that way. 

Odd-year elections are good for municipalities because they:

Focus attention on local issues. In even years, voter fatigue is real. Think of the clutter in your mailbox this election season. Who wants to talk zoning or stormwater management with all that’s going on at the state and federal levels? Lots of local issues directly affect our lives even if they’re not making headlines. Odd-year elections give them the attention they deserve.

Promote diversity in government. In odd years it’s easier for candidates to get their message out. In even years, the cost of a local campaign—in money and time—will skyrocket because of the volume of messaging from state and federal campaigns. Candidates who aren’t rich or retired will face new barriers to access.

Keep money out of local politics. Right now, small donations from residents can fund a winning campaign. In even years, power will shift to outside groups with deep pockets. Outside money distorting local elections is a problem across the country.

Keep the parties out of local politics.  City Council elections are nonpartisan because local issues are nonpartisan—we all want our roads fixed and our trash picked up. In even years, candidates backed by a party will be able to coordinate fundraising and field operations with state and federal campaigns. What a candidate knows about roads and trash will matter less than who they know in the party establishment.

Local issues deserve local elections. On November 3, Vote No on East Lansing Proposal II!