CHAPTER VI:
ELECTIONS

Section 25. State Law.

Except as this charter or a city ordinance prescribes to the contrary, a city election shall conform to state law applicable to the election. All elections for city offices must be nonpartisan.

Section 26. Councilors.

The term of a Councilor in office when this charter is adopted is the term for which the Councilor was elected or appointed. At each general election preceding the expiration of their terms of office, three Councilors shall be elected each for a four year term.

Section 27. Mayor.

The term of the Mayor in office when this charter is adopted continues until the beginning of the first odd-numbered year after adoption. At a general election preceding the expiration of the Mayor’s term in office, a Mayor shall be elected for a two year term.

Section 28. Term of Office.

The term of office of an elective officer who is elected at a general election begins at the first Council meeting of the year immediately after the election and continues until the successor to the office assumes the office.

Section 29. Prerequisite.

(1)    An elective city officer shall be a qualified elector under the state constitution and shall have resided in the city limits during the 12 months immediately before being elected or appointed to the office.

(2)    No person may be a candidate at a single election for more than one elective city office.

(3)    The Council is the final judge of the election and whether its members have met the prerequisites of the position.

(4)    The prerequisites of appointive officers of the city are whatever the Council prescribes or authorizes.

(5)    Neither the Mayor nor a Councilor may be employed by the city.

Section 30. Nominations.

The Council must adopt an ordinance prescribing the manner for a person to be nominated to run for Mayor or a city Council position.

Section 31. Oath of Office.

Before assuming city office, an office holder shall take an oath or affirm that he or she will faithfully perform the duties of the office and support the laws of the City of Phoenix.

Section 32. Vacancies, Occurrence.

The office of Mayor or of a member of the City Council becomes vacant:

(1)    Upon the incumbent’s:

(a)    Death,

(b)    Adjudicated incompetence, or

(c)    Recall from office; or

(2)    Upon declaration by the Council of the vacancy in case of the incumbent’s:

(a)    Failure, following election or appointment to the office, to qualify for the office within ten (10) days after the time for the term of office to begin,

(b)    Absence from the city for thirty (30) days or from all meetings of the Council within a 45-day period without the Council’s consent,

(c)    Ceasing to reside in the city,

(d)    Ceasing to be a qualified elector under state law,

(e)    Conviction of a public offense punishable by loss of liberty, or

(f)    Resignation from the office.

Section 33. Vacancies, Filling.

(1)    A vacancy in the Council shall be filled by appointment by a majority of the remaining Council members. The appointee’s term of office runs from appointment until expiration of the term of office of the last person elected to that office.

(2)    A vacancy in the office of Mayor shall be filled by the Council president for the remainder of the vacated term.

(3)    A vacancy in the office of Council president will be filled by the Council vice-president for the remainder of the vacated term.

(4)    A vacancy in the position of Council vice-president will be filled by Council appointment of a Council vice-president at the next Council meeting.