Bolivar Council Votes on Making Changes to Election Cycle

After months of discussion, the Bolivar City Council voted on whether to make changes to its election cycle, during the City Council meeting on Monday, August 12, 2024.

Back in May, the City of Bolivar discussed combining the City of Bolivar Election with a State General Election in order to save money and increase voter participation. Making the change would also have extended the term of the mayor and council members.

Even with the proposed benefits, many questioned the timing and motives behind making the change now . . . so close to the upcoming May 2025 election. Councilwoman Caroline Miller described it as “manipulative” and “self-serving” during the May council meeting.

The council held a public town hall meeting in July to discuss the options with the citizens.

At the August 12, 2024, City Council meeting, Mayor McTizic presented three options to the Council. The first option was to take no action, leaving the election as it is now.

The second option would extend the current elected officials terms by just over one year so that the municipal election would coincide with the County’s November general election. It would extend the mayor and four of the council members terms, changing their next election from June 2025 to November 2026, and changing the four most recently elected council members next election from June 2027 to November 2028.

The third option would extend the four most recently elected council members next election from June 2027 to November 2028, but would not change the current mayor’s and four longer serving council members’ election until after the May 2025 regularly scheduled election, so that their next term would be extended from ending in June 2029 to ending in November 2030.

“I make a motion that we don’t do anything.” said Councilwoman Caroline Miller. “It seems like a big move, like changing our charter or changing our election should have a mandate. It should be something that we all – a majority of us – should want and we have been split on our opinions. The community has been split. I move that we don’t change anything and maybe leave it up for the next council.”

The motion was seconded by Councilman Larry McKinnie.

After some discussion, a roll call vote was taken with Council members Lowe, McKinnie, Miller, Williams, and Woods voting in favor of the motion to not make any changes at this time.

Council members Brown, Golden, and Rhea voted against the motion.

The motion passed 5-3 and no changes will be made to the City of Bolivar election cycle at this time. Mayor McTizic along with council members Brown, Golden, Rhea, and McKinnie will be up for re-election in May 2025, if they choose to run again.

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