In 2008, Mayor Craig A. Moe appointed a Citizens Election Ad Hoc
Committee, chaired by former Laurel City Councilmember H. Edward Ricks,
to review the City of Laurel Election Laws and Ward Boundaries, and to
recommend changes that would promote higher voter participation.  The
Ad Hoc Committee held several meetings as well as two public hearings
before preparing and presenting their recommendations to the Mayor and
City Council.  The Ad Hoc Committee agreed that public discussion and
participation was important to the implementation of any changes to the
City of Laurel’s elections and recommended a public referendum be held
to decide upon the changes.  The Mayor and City Council passed
legislation to provide for a Special Referendum Election on Tuesday,
September 8, 2009.  The Mayor and City Council shall enact legislation
if warranted by the election results.  The election will be held at the
Phelps Senior Citizens Center, 701 Montgomery Street, Laurel.  The
polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The following questions will be on the September 8, 2009, Special
Referendum Election. The Mayor and City Council shall enact legislation
based on the election results.

1.  
   
   1.  
      
      1. Early Voting
         As
         proposed by the Citizens Election Committee, do you favor early voting
         which would allow voting from the Friday before the Election up to the
         day before Election Day?

Changing the Election Date
A
Special Referendum Election is scheduled for Tuesday, September 8, 2009
to decide upon the recommendations from the Election Ad Hoc Committee.

1.  
   
   1.  
      
      1. As proposed by the Citizens Election
         Committee, do you agree with moving the City Election to the first
         Tuesday in November in odd numbered years?
      2. Extending the Current Election Terms to Accommodate Moving the Election to Odd Numbered Years
         As proposed by the Citizens Election Committee, do you agree with
         extending the present term of the current Mayor and City
         Councilmember’s for fourteen (14) months in order to have City
         elections in November of odd numbered years?
      3. City Council Term
         As proposed by the Citizens Election Committee, do you agree with that
         the terms of the City Council be increased from two (2) years to four
         (4) years?
      4. Voting By Ward Only – City Council
         As proposed by the Citizens Election Committee, do you favor voting
         only for candidates residing in your Ward and one candidate At-Large?
      5. Mayor’s Salary
         As
         proposed by the Citizens Election Committee, do you favor changing the
         Mayor’s salary from its current $20,000.00 per year to $25,000 per
         year, to be effective with the next Mayoral election in 14 months?
      6. City Council Salary
         As proposed by the Citizens Election Committee, do you favor changing
         the City Council’s salary from $7,500.00 per year to $12,500 per year,
         to be effective with the next City Council election in 14 months?

LAST DAY TO REGISTER TO VOTE - The last day to register to vote in the Special Referendum Election is Friday, August 7, 2009. 
ABSENTEE BALLOTS/VOTING BY MAIL – If you would like to vote
absentee/vote by mail please call for an Application.  Last day to
receive an application is Tuesday, September 1, 2009. 
For additional information please call the Office of the City Clerk at 301-725-5300, Extension 121

Click here for more information on the Special Referendum Election »