(Atlantic) Following a public hearing on Wednesday, the Atlantic City Council voted on the First reading to reinstate the “plurality-takes-all” election system. The proposed change would amend Chapter 6 of the city’s Code of Ordinances, which governs the conduct of city elections. The ordinance returns the “plurality takes all” system. A candidate needs to get the most votes on the first and only ballot to win, so less than 50.1 percent of the vote is required to become the Mayor or City Council member.
The city previously adopted a runoff election system in 2021 to ensure mayoral candidates had majority support. However, City Administrator John Lund said feedback from candidates cited the runoff process as confusing, costly, and burdensome.
To finalize the change before the state’s August 1 deadline, the Council must pass two more readings of the ordinance at upcoming meetings on, June 18, and July 2.
