Title
Providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter providing for the establishing of a Redistricting Commission to carry duties related to the reapportionment of Council districts, as approved by Resolution of the City Council; 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.
Body
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 8, 2022, an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter relating to the establishment of a Redistricting Commission for the purpose of reapportioning Council districts following each decennial census. The proposed amendment is contained in Resolution No. 220369, approved by Council on ___________, 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 to provide for the creation of a Redistricting Commission after each decennial census, consisting of eleven Philadelphia residents, to solicit public input regarding the composition of Council districts, propose new district boundaries to City Council, and produce a report regarding its decision-making process and methods?
SECTION 3. The Clerk of Council is hereby directed to (i) certify to the Board of Elections, within five days of this Ordinance becoming law, a copy of this Ordinance and Resolution No. 220369; and (ii) 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. 220369 together with the ballot question set forth in this Ordinance.
SECTION 4. The Clerk of Council is hereby directed to cause to be published one time, during the three (3) weeks preceding the election on November 8, 2022, 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; and further, at such other time and in such other manner as the Clerk 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 in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the City, and in The Legal Intelligencer, once a week for three consecutive weeks during the period of thirty days prior to the election. One such publication may be combined with the publication of the notice required by 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.
SECTION 7. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately.
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