EAST LANSING, Mich. — East Lansing voters will weigh five city charter amendments on the Nov. 3 ballot, including a citizen petition that would push local elections onto even-numbered years alongside state and federal races.
Petitioners gathered over 1,200 valid signatures to force the even-year elections question onto the ballot. Supporters say aligning with higher-turnout midterms would lift participation and trim the city’s odd-year election costs; opponents warn races would grow costlier and more partisan.
Ballot language says a yes vote would require City Council to shift charter elections from odd to even years and would stretch current officeholders’ terms by one year. Even if voters approve it, council still has to take follow-up action to finish the calendar change.
Three other amendments come from a charter review panel that worked through 2024 and 2025. They would loosen holiday meeting rules, let a clerk designee attend council sessions and sign minutes, and allow designees for the city attorney and chief financial officer when contracts are executed. A separate petition would create a citizens healthcare advisory committee that reports every two years.
City Clerk Emily Gordon has told local election workers to brace for presidential-level turnout. Early in-person voting is planned at WKAR Studio A on the Michigan State campus communications complex and at Hannah Community Center, with absentee drop boxes at City Hall.
