One of the 12 charter amendments coming up on the November ballot in Honolulu County are questions relating to City Council term limits. Of course, when it comes to ballot wording, our election officials aren't going to make it easy on us, and the specific questions put to us are:
1. Should City Council term limits be replaced by Alternative A or B below; and, separately, to address concerns relating to election of City Council members caused by reapportionment every 10 years, should staggered terms be replaced by Alternative A or B?
2. If Charter Question 1 is approved, which proposal relating to Councilmember terms should be adopted?
I'm personally in favor of term limits, and think staggering has worked out fine, so my inclination is to vote no on Question 1. But I guess I'll also have to vote "Alternative B" on Question 2 in casemost voters choose to change the system, because a 12 year term limit is better than none.
But I admit, there's probably more involved here... because why else would the questions be so weirdly worded. Any political gurus want to chime in?
1. Should City Council term limits be replaced by Alternative A or B below; and, separately, to address concerns relating to election of City Council members caused by reapportionment every 10 years, should staggered terms be replaced by Alternative A or B?
2. If Charter Question 1 is approved, which proposal relating to Councilmember terms should be adopted?
- Alternative A. Term limits for Councilmembers and the staggering of Councilmembers' terms shall be eliminated.
- Alternative B. Councilmembers shall be limited to serving a maximum of three consecutive four-year terms, and the staggering of Councilmember terms shall be eliminated.
I'm personally in favor of term limits, and think staggering has worked out fine, so my inclination is to vote no on Question 1. But I guess I'll also have to vote "Alternative B" on Question 2 in casemost voters choose to change the system, because a 12 year term limit is better than none.
But I admit, there's probably more involved here... because why else would the questions be so weirdly worded. Any political gurus want to chime in?
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