August 19, 2024 Update: On Monday, August 19, City Council voted 6-1 to reconsider Councillor’s Bill 26 which was the bill that was initially discussed on August 12. Council then voted 5-2 to pass Councillor’s Bill 26 which will create three representative wards with two councillors per ward. The mayor will continue to be an at-large position.
Westminster residents will now vote on the ballot measure during the upcoming November 2024 election. Should the ballot item pass, the process for determining boundaries will begin in 2025. Residents should expect to see the following ballot language during the November 2024 election:
Shall the Charter of the City of Westminster, Colorado, be amended to create three (3) geographic wards, each represented by two (2) City Councillors residing in such wards, elected to staggered four-year terms, and establish rules for their election, service, and recall, to be fully implemented no later than 2027, by amending Sections 3.2, 3.3, 3.18, 5.1, and 5.2, and adding a new section 18.9?
A "Yes" vote will support the creation of wards for Westminster. A "No" vote will mean that City Councillors will continue to be elected at large.
Council also gave direction to staff to draft a ballot question for the 2025 municipal election for residents to consider creating an additional two at-large councillor seats to create a nine-person city council. Councillor's Bill 27, which would have included proposed changes in Councillor's Bill 26 and expanded the number of council seats by two, was tabled indefinitely.
August 13, 2024 Update: On Monday, August 12, City Council directed staff to make edits to the current proposal creating representative wards in Westminster. The updated plan will still call for transitioning Westminster to three geographic wards represented by two councillors each, and a mayor that is elected at large. However, Council has requested to see an updated proposal adding two additional at-large councillors increasing the size of City Council to nine seats total. City Council will hold a first reading of the updated proposal during a meeting Monday, August 19.
Should City Council approve the proposed ordinance during their regular meeting Monday, August 26, Westminster residents will have the opportunity to vote on the ballot measure during the November 2024 election. Should the ballot item pass, the process for determining boundaries will begin in 2025.
Original article below
On Monday, August 12, City Council will consider creating representative wards for Westminster. The proposed plan will begin transitioning Westminster to three geographic wards with two councillors each, and a mayor that is elected at large. Westminster’s City Council is currently elected citywide.
The proposed ordinance includes ward boundaries with balanced populations that are within 10 percent of each other, and boundaries will be adjusted every 10 years in alignment with the U.S. Census. Should population deviate beyond 10%, the City may adjust boundaries mid-decade.
Should City Council approve the proposed ordinance, Westminster residents will have the opportunity to vote on the ballot measure during the November 2024 election. Should the ballot item pass, the process for determining boundaries will begin in 2025.
During the 2025 municipal election, the three current at-large councillor seats that will be up for election will be converted to ward-based councillor seats. Current term-limit rules and residency requirements are preserved. Councillors may only serve two consecutive terms and are required to live in their respective ward for at least one year prior to running for office and maintain residency within the ward throughout their term.
For more information and updates visit the Westminster Council Wards Initiative webpage here.
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