If enacted, this bill would amend current statutes regarding municipal elections, specifically addressing the process for declaring candidates elected to the office of mayor or city council. Under the proposed changes, a candidate who receives a majority of votes in a primary election would not be declared elected until any election contest is resolved. This is a significant update to the existing law, which currently allows for a candidate to be declared elected after the canvass and certification of primary election results without the requirement of resolving any contests first.

Additionally, the bill would make technical changes to the language of the statute, including the removal of certain phrases and the insertion of new language to clarify the process. For example, it would specify that the resolution of any election contest must occur before a candidate is declared elected, thereby ensuring that the integrity of the election process is upheld before a candidate assumes office. Overall, these updates aim to enhance the electoral process by addressing potential disputes before finalizing election outcomes.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 9-821.01
Senate Engrossed Version: 9-821.01