City Council election is important
Register to vote, and help shape city of Yuma’s future
The clocking is ticking, Yuma — have you registered to vote yet?
I feel like I’ve written that sentence a million times, but the question is a valid one.
Oct. 10 is the deadline to register to vote for the Nov. 7 General Election. Registered voters who live within the City of Yuma will be able to go to the polls to fill three open seats on the Yuma City Council.
If that doesn’t sound interesting, consider this: the Yuma City Council is comprised of six council members and the mayor, so half —½ — of the council seats are getting filled on Nov. 7.
Why does this matter? The City of Yuma’s website notes that the mayor and council are “committed to deliver quality public services and to advance the social and economic well-being of our present and future citizens.”
But what does that really mean? The Yuma City Council is a decision-making body that has a tremendous impact. The City of Yuma charter notes, “Said City Council shall be the governing body of the City and shall consist of a mayor and six council members, and, subject to the express limitations to this Charter, shall be vested with all powers of legislation in municipal affairs adequate to a complete system of local government consistent with the Constitution and laws of the State.”
The council plays a role in taxes and sets citywide ordinances or laws.
And the city council is the body held accountable for a variety of issues, ranging from how taxpayer dollars are spent to road needs to public safety issues.
Now, people love to complain about city actions or inactions. Yet every election cycle, I’m astounded by how low the voter turnout is.
This is your chance to weigh in, Yuma, and help determine who will fill these very important seats.
It’s easy to register to vote. Visit www.ServiceArizona.com, and click on the link “Voter Registration,” and follow the steps — it’s easy to do, and you don’t even have to leave the house.
This year, make a difference. Register to vote, and help shape this city’s future. Unsigned editorials represent the viewpoint of this newspaper rather than an individual. Columns and letters to the editor represent the viewpoints of the persons writing them and do not necessarily represent the views of the Yuma Sun.