East Lansing Will Vote on Election Timing
Proposal II seeks to move local races to even-numbered years to increase voter participation and reduce costs.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in City Hall
Live Poll
Should your city move local elections to even-numbered years to increase voter participation?
East Lansing residents will vote on Proposal II, which aims to shift local elections from odd-numbered years to even-numbered years starting in November 2026. This change is intended to align local races with federal and state cycles to bolster historically low turnout.
Why it matters
Proponents argue that consolidating election timing will increase voter turnout by utilizing the higher engagement seen in presidential and senatorial cycles. Conversely, opponents express concern that local candidates may be overshadowed by larger statewide contests.
The city projects savings of over $65,000 per off-cycle election by aligning dates. While off-cycle turnout reaches only about 6,000 of 20,000 registered voters, on-cycle elections historically engage roughly two-thirds of the electorate.
The players
Gretchen Whitmer
As the Governor of Michigan, she holds executive authority and previously blocked an attempt to place a similar charter amendment on the ballot.
East Lansing
This Michigan city is the site of the proposed charter amendment to consolidate election schedules.
The details
Local elections in East Lansing currently function on a non-partisan ticket during odd-numbered years. Proposal II seeks to modernize this schedule after a similar effort in 2023 was blocked by Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
Timeline
An effort to place the amendment on the ballot occurred in 2023.
Election researchers analyzed data from California cities between 2008 and 2016.
The upcoming general election takes place in November 2026.
Political Context
Opponents argue that moving local races to even years forces non-partisan municipal candidates to compete with the heavy spending and political polarization of federal campaigns. This shift fundamentally alters the candidate-voter dynamic by potentially incentivizing local office seekers to pivot toward national partisan party platforms.
Residents will see local candidates appear alongside federal and state names on their ballots if the measure passes. This change aims to simplify the voting calendar, though voters should prepare for longer ballots during the newly consolidated even-year general elections.
The takeaway
Consolidating election cycles is a growing trend aimed at combating voter apathy in municipal contests. Voters should consider whether the increased visibility of local races outweighs the potential for those issues to be lost in the noise of national partisan elections.
What happens next
The proposal will be decided by voters in the general election scheduled for November 2026.
Further reading
For more information on local governance, visit City Hall.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The State News.
Live Poll
Should your city move local elections to even-numbered years to increase voter participation?
