The Tampa City Council is considering modifying the date of municipal elections.
Municipal elections in the off-season presently cost the city about $700,000.
It's pricey, and according to the city, there aren't many people voting. In recent elections, they had a 23% voter turnout.
City authorities suggested that the Tampa City elections be moved to even-numbered years to correspond with general elections.
Attorney Matt Newton will present the elections cycle change to city council today.
“Our last presidential election, turnout in the City of Tampa was around 70%,” Newton said. “Our most recent municipal election, which was in March, and then we had the runoff in April, was 13.1%. The turnout was around 10%, so that’s not good. We have a turnout problem.”
Leaders will go through this more at a workshop this morning at 9 a.m. at old City Hall. 315 East Kennedy Boulevard in Tampa is the address.
A nationally recognized expert on local elections will be on hand to provide more information.
