Des Moines City Hall | Wikimedia Commons/James Steakley
Des Moines City Hall | Wikimedia Commons/James Steakley
The City of Des Moines has voted to change the way it determines the winners in local elections.
The city council has voted to eliminate runoff elections.
“This is something that does not need a legislative change. It will save taxpayer dollars. I feel that it is our duty to do this,” councilman Joe Gatto told WHO TV.
Before, candidates needed more than half the vote in order to win. If no one candidate racked up more than half the votes, a runoff election was triggered.
Last year runoff elections in three city races cost Des Moines more than $86,000. Gato told WHO that the results from a runoff are often the same. Gato favors a winner-take-all model. The city council agreed. Starting in 2021, the city will use the one-election, winner-take-all election model.
At an upcoming city council meeting, the city will also discuss a measure to make it tougher for candidates to get on the ballot. The city council will vote on a regulation that will require potential candidates to present more signatures before they qualify for the ballot.
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