Early counts for 2 Morgan Hill poll measures present that residents are opting to reset the tempo of their election cycles, altering once they can vote for his or her metropolis leaders and the way lengthy these leaders can keep in energy.
Help for enacting time period limits was overwhelming, with sure votes holding an almost four-to-one lead over no votes. A measure extending the mayor’s time period to 4 years additionally held a robust lead.
Each measures require a easy majority for passage.
Initially introduced forth by outgoing Councilmember Rene Spring, Measure A would set time period limits of 12 consecutive years for officers to function metropolis councilmember, mayor, treasurer, or any mixture of the three. After 12 years, candidates would wish to take a break of 4 years or extra earlier than operating once more for metropolis workplace.
At present, Morgan Hill doesn’t have time period limits for elected officers, making it the one metropolis in Santa Clara County with out them apart from Gilroy.
The measure has been the topic of heated public dialogue that touched on the character of the rising metropolis.
Proponents for the measure argued that it might permit for extra recent views in native authorities, keep away from burnout, forestall incumbents from holding energy indefinitely and encourage extra individuals to interact in native politics.
Others, nevertheless, held that time period limits are improper for Morgan Hill, saying the measure would needlessly take away devoted public servants from workplace. The opponents argue that limits are pointless in a small, close-knit city with prepared entry to native leaders.
Morgan Hill residents additionally weighed in on Measure B, which might lengthen the mayor’s time period from two years to 4 years, and would go into impact in 2026 if outcomes stand.
Proponents argued that the measure inspired equity by placing the mayor on four-year phrases like the remainder of the town council. Additionally they asserted that the money and time required to run a marketing campaign each two years detracts from the work of being a mayor, and {that a} four-year time period would provide extra time for a mayor to develop accustomed to the job and execute their plan for the town.
Opponents apprehensive that the prolonged time period might diminish voter engagement within the metropolis. Since Morgan Hill is on staggered district election cycles, the mayoral race provides each resident a chance to vote each two years, no matter whether or not their council consultant is up for election. Additionally they argued that Measure B would discourage the competitors that comes from two-year phrases.
