Registration Deadline Approaching For City General Election; Early Ballots Soon Available

10/04/2011 | Dave Nash, Public Affairs Coordinator

Yuma, Arizona - City residents will need to register to vote by next Monday, Oct. 10, for the City of Yuma's general election. Early ballots will be mailed soon, with the early voting period officially beginning Oct. 13.

The City's general election will be held Nov. 8 for the purpose of electing candidates for the remaining seat on the Yuma City Council and one seat for Municipal Court Judge. Additionally, voters will decide the fate of two propositions stemming from recommendations made by a citizen advisory committee.

Registration and early ballot request forms are available from the office of the Yuma County Recorder, 410 S. Maiden Lane. Call them with questions at 373-6034.

Those who voted in the primary election in August need not register again unless pertinent information has changed, for example, if they have moved.

The last day to submit a request for an early ballot for the general election is 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28. Those who wish to vote early but who did not request mail-in ballots may vote early in person at the County Recorder's Office beginning Oct. 13.

Distinguishing this election from the one conducted in August, voters will decide the fate of two propositions. Proposition 400 would adjust the City Charter to reflect that City of Yuma elections are held in accordance with state law. Proposition 401 would increase the compensation levels for those holding the offices of Mayor or City Councilmember beginning January 2014 to $18,000 a year for Mayor and $5,000 a year for City Councilmember.

Currently, the Mayor earns $12,000 annually and councilmembers earn $3,600 a year.

In the remaining seat for City Council, voters will choose between incumbent Raul Mendoza and Edward Thomas. Councilmembers Leslie McClendon and Cody Beeson were re-elected in the primary after they received at least 50 percent plus one vote among ballots cast.

In the race for Municipal Court Judge, voters will choose between Jerrold Warner and

Jeanette Umphress.

Those elected to these positions would each serve a four-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2012, and ending Dec. 31, 2015.