2023 Charter Amendment Election

November 7, 2023 - Special Election

The City of Flagstaff will hold a Special Election on November 7, 2023. This is a Ballot-by-Mail election. The ballot will feature 19 proposed charter amendments, covering topics such as the amount of signatures City Council candidates need to qualify for the ballot, increasing the dollar amount of purchases that can be approved by the City Manager, and updating the City’s procurement policies.

What is a City Charter?

The City Charter defines the powers and functions of the city. It serves as the foundation of government for the city but leaves the details of operation to the City Council and City Manager. The City Charter sets forth the governance structure, defines the qualifications and role of elected officials, and establishes the authority and responsibility of city officers, among other things. The City Charter may be preempted to the extent it conflicts with state, federal, or judicial law.

Why is the city referring proposed charter amendments to the voters for consideration?

Any amendments to the City Charter must be approved by a majority of the voters. Over time, City Charters should be reviewed for conformity and alignment with state and federal law, changes in community values, changes in the form or substance of the municipal governance structure, and technical changes to bring language into uniformity with commonly understood titles or terms. It has been eight years since the Charter was last reviewed and changes approved by voters.

What are the 19 proposed charter amendments?

You can read more about the 19 proposed charter amendments in the materials linked below. An informational video that explains each of the proposed charter amendments is also available.

Full text of the proposed charter amendments

Informational Pamphlet for the 2023 Special Election

Spanish Informational Pamphlet for the 2023 Special Election

Referendum

REF 01-2023 (Proposition 480)

A Measure Referred to the People by Referendum No. 01-2023 Relating to Ordinance No. 2023-11: An Ordinance of the City Council of Flagstaff, amending the Flagstaff Zoning Map to rezone approximately 98.39 acres of real property from Rural Residential (40.47 acres) and Estate Residential (57.92 acres) to Highway Commercial (63.18 acres) and Public Facilities (35.21 acres) and adding the Resource Protection Overlay to APN 112-10-036, 112-10-037, and 112-05-125 generally located at 1120 W Purple Sage Trail.

Important Voting Information

Last Day to Register to Vote	October 10, 2023
Ballots Mailed and Early Voting Begins	October 11, 2023
Last Day to Request a Replacement Ballot to be Mailed	October 27, 2023
Last Day to Request a Replacement Ballot in Person	November 7, 2023 at 7:00 pm

RECEIVING YOUR BALLOT

This is a Ballot-by-Mail Election. There will be no polling places on Election Day. All registered voters in the City of Flagstaff will automatically receive a ballot in the mail approximately three weeks prior to the election.

Requesting a Replacement Ballot: If you lost, spoiled, or never received your ballot, you may request a replacement ballot by calling the Recorder’s Office at (928) 679-7860 or toll-free (800) 793-6181, or by visiting one of the replacement ballot sites listed below.

Replacement Ballot Sites:

Coconino County Voter Services
Flagstaff Mall
(between JCPenney and Planet Fitness)
4650 N. US Highway 89, Flagstaff
Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Coconino County Recorder’s Office
110 E. Cherry Ave, Flagstaff
Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Replacement Ballot Sites are open from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm on Election Day, November 7, 2023.

RETURNING YOUR BALLOT

You may return your voted ballot by mail using the postage-paid envelope included with the ballot or drop it off at one of the Ballot Drop Box locations listed below. Your ballot must be received by the Recorder’s Office no later than 7:00 pm on Election Day, November 7, 2023. Postmarks do not apply when considering this deadline.

Ballot Drop Box Locations:

Flagstaff City Hall Lobby 211 W. Aspen Ave, Flagstaff (during business hours only)	Coconino County Voter Services Flagstaff Mall (between JCPenny and Planet Fitness) 4650 N. US Highway 89, Flagstaff (during business hours only)
Coconino County Recorder's Office 110 E. Cherry Ave, Flagstaff	Coconino County Health and Human Services 2625 N. King St, Flagstaff
Coconino County Community Development 2500 N. Fort Valley Rd, Flagstaff	Coconino County Treasurer Drive-thru 2304 N. 3rd St, Flagstaff (box is located at the exit of the parking lot)
NAU Bookstore S. Beaver St, NAU Campus, Flagstaff	Flagstaff Fire Station #6 3877 S. Lake Mary Rd, Flagstaff