2021 Charter Amendments
There are 7 proposed amendments to the City Charter on the St Petersburg Municipal General Election ballot this year. You can read our full, nonpartisan analysis of the amendments here or at PinellasVoterGuide.com!
The Board of Directors of the League of Women Voters of the St Petersburg Area has carefully considered each amendment. The League only takes positions on issues that we have studied or that concur with an existing League position. We have taken positions recommending to VOTE YES on four of the amendments. On the other three, we are not taking a position either for or against: we are remaining neutral.
Amendment 1: We are remaining neutral.
Please read the analysis at PinellasVoterGuide.com!
Amendment 2: Vote Yes!
This amendment will ensure that St Petersburg’s city redistricting process is in line with Fair Districts criteria, and it will help make the redistricting process more independent. This concurs with current LWVUS and LWVFL positions on redistricting.
Amendment 3: Vote Yes!
Based on the findings of our 2019 Civic Health Study, we believe it is essential for St. Petersburg to create clear mechanisms that will ensure accountability for more equitable practice and policy, and to ensure that all citizens have a voice in governance. Research also indicates that addressing equity gaps will have a positive economic impact, making this an even more worthwhile investment.
Amendment 4: Vote Yes!
The findings of our 2019 Civic Health Study are consistent with the Charter Review Commission’s equity analysis. Policy decisions and resource allocation in the past have created inequities on multiple issues across the city, from housing to health and more. Intentional resource investment by City Council is needed to break this cycle.
Amendment 5: We are remaining neutral.
Check out PinellasVoterGuide.com for more detail.
Amendment 6: Vote Yes!
The City Charter review process and the redistricting process both happen every 10 years. This amendment will prevent them from overlapping with each other, which will help them both function better. This supports existing League positions on redistricting and on citizen voice and participation.
Amendment 7: We are remaining neutral.
You can read the full preamble that is proposed to add to the the City Charter in our analysis at PinellasVoterGuide.com.