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Providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of the proposal set forth in a Resolution approved by Council proposing amendment of the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter relating to the election of the Council President by the voters at large (and reducing the number of other at large Councilmembers from seven to six), the filling of vacancies in the offices of Mayor and Council President, specifying the Council President’s powers and duties, and permitting Councilmembers and an Acting Mayor to be candidates for certain other City offices without first resigning their positions; fixing the date of a special election for such purpose; prescribing the form of ballot question to be voted on; and authorizing the appropriate officers to publish notice and to make arrangements for the special election.
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THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. There shall be submitted for the approval or disapproval of the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia at the election to be held November 2, 2004, an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter relating to the election of the Council President by the voters at large (and reducing the number of other at large Councilmembers from seven to six), the filling of vacancies in the offices of Mayor and Council President, specifying the Council President’s powers and duties, and permitting Councilmembers and an Acting Mayor to be candidates for certain other City offices without first resigning their positions, as contained in Resolution No. 040170 approved by Council on , 2004, and filed in the Office of the Clerk of Council.
SECTION 2. There shall be placed on the ballot the following question to be answered “Yes” or “No” by the qualified electors participating in the election:
Should the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter be amended by providing for the direct election of the Council President by the voters (and reducing the number of other at-large Councilmembers from seven to six); revising how Mayoral and Council President vacancies are filled; specifying the Council President’s powers and duties; and permitting Councilmembers to be candidates for other Councilmanic offices and Acting Mayors to be candidates for Council or Mayor without first resigning their positions?
SECTION 3. The Clerk of Council is hereby directed to have printed in pamphlet form, in sufficient number for general distribution, the proposed amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter as set forth in Resolution No. 040170, together with the ballot question set forth in Section 2 of this Ordinance.
SECTION 4. The Clerk of Council is hereby directed to cause to be published in three (3) newspapers of general circulation in the City and in the Legal Intelligencer the proposed amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter, together with the ballot question set forth in Section 2 of this Ordinance, once a week during the three (3) weeks preceding the election on November 2, 2004; and further, at such other time and in such other manner as she may consider desirable.
SECTION 5. The Mayor is hereby authorized and directed to issue a proclamation giving at least thirty (30) days’ notice of such election. The Clerk of Council shall cause a copy of the proclamation to be published, together with the notice provided for in Section 4 of this Ordinance.
SECTION 6. The appropriate officers are authorized and directed to take such action as may be required for the holding of an election on the ballot question set forth in Section 2 of this Ordinance as provided for by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
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