7886-07
ORDINANCE NO. 7886-07
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CLEARWATER, FLORIDA,
AMENDING SECTION 14.02, CODE OF ORDINANCES TO
PROVIDE THAT EVERY FOUR YEARS COMMENCING
JANUARY 29, 2008, THE REGULAR MUNICIPAL ELECTION
SHALL BE HELD IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE PRESIDENTIAL
PREFERENCE PRIMARY; AMENDING SECTION 14.41(7) TO
CHANGE THE QUALIFYING PERIOD; ALLOWING
CANDIDATES WHO HAVE ALREADY OBTAINED PETITION
CARDS TO USE THE CARDS THEY HAVE; PROVIDING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, in the 2007 regular session, the Florida Legislature amended
Section 101.75, Florida Statutes, to allow municipalities to move by ordinance their
municipal election dates to coincide with the presidential preference primary; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City of Clearwater to move their
election dates as so allowed to increase voter participation and save the cost of a
separate municipal election; now therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CLEARWATER, FLORIDA:
Section 1. Section 14.02, Code of Ordinances, is hereby amended to read as
follows:
Sec. 14.02. Regular elections.
(a) Regular municipal elections shall be held on the second Tuesday in March
of each year in which the term of any councilmember expires, except that every four
years commencino Januarv 29, 2008. reoular municipal elections shall be held in
coniunction with the presidential preference primary.
(b) Early voting in municipal elections begins 15 days before the election. The
City of Clearwater exercises its right to exempt itself from the provisions of Section
101.657, Florida Statutes, and shall contract with the supervisor of elections to provide
facilities and services for early voting. Voters who wish to participate in early voting may
do so at the offices of the Supervisor of Elections of Pinellas County.
Section 2. Section 14.41 (7), Code of Ordinances, is hereby amended to read as
follows:
Sec. 14.41. Qualification for candidacy.
Ordinance No. 7886-07
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7) Candidates may file qualifying papers with the city clerk during regular
business hours at the city hall during the qualifying period, which begins at 8:00 a.m. on
the first Monday in December and ends at 5:00 p.m. on the second Friday thereafter.
However. in years when the municipal election is moved to coincide with the
presidential preference primary. the qualifyino period will beoin at 8:00 a.m. on the first
Friday in November and end at 5:00 p.m. on the third Friday in November. Any
candidate may withdraw from nomination, but no fee will be refunded.
Section 3. For the purposes of the municipal election to be held on January
29, 2008, those candidates who have already obtained petition cards that indicate the
incorrect date shall be permitted to use the cards they have already obtained, and will
not be required to obtain new petition cards.
Section 4. This ordinance shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
PASSED ON FIRST READING
September 20, 2007
PASSED ON SECOND AND FINAL
READING AND ADOPTED
October 4, 2007
::t--e /' ~
~ .
nk V. Hibbard
Mayor
Approved as to form:
Attest:
~~a Min
City Attorney
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Ordinance No. 7886-07