By Mary Goldmeer
Mail

The Goodyear City Council will meet at 5 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 9, to discuss a proposed ordinance that could alter signature requirements for mayoral and council candidates in future elections.

Ordinance No. 2024-1618, seeks to amend the Goodyear City Code to establish a fixed signature requirement for candidates.

Under the proposed changes, candidates would need to collect either 1,000 signatures or 5% of the total votes cast in the most recent mayoral election, whichever statistic requires fewer signatures.

Currently, the number of required signatures fluctuates based on the voter turnout in the most recent mayoral race without a minimum signature cut off. The new ordinance would set a threshold to ensure consistency in the signature-gathering process.

The city has seen an increase in voter participation since moving elections to the fall of even-numbered years, which has raised the number of signatures required for candidates. The proposed ordinance would simplify the process and encourage more candidates to run for office. 

For voters, the change could lead to a more competitive election environment. According to the City of Goodyear's staff proposal, a more distinct signature requirement could encourage a greater number of candidates to run. 

For potential candidates, the new rule would make the nomination process more predictable. With the threshold set at 1,000 signatures, or 5% of the vote, whichever is lower, candidates will know exactly what is required to get on the ballot. The changes, however, would not take effect until the 2028 election cycle, with the signature requirement based on voter turnout in the 2026 mayoral race.

The council is expected to discuss and vote on the ordinance at their Monday, Dec. 9 meeting at the City Hall Council Chambers, 1900 N. Civic Square.

Visit goodyearaz.gov for more information.