Blackfoot Ditches Super-Majority Mandate In Council Elections

The city of Blackfoot is changing its ordinance when it comes to electing council members.

Tuesday’s unanimous vote came just one month after a runoff election for council seat four, which cost the city more than $6,000.

From now on, when more than two candidates are running for council, the person with the most votes will win.

A rule change in 2003 had required a super-majority of 50 percent plus one.

The rule impacted the Nov. 2011 election when Butch Hulse won 49.5 percent of the vote.

It wasn’t enough for a victory, so the city had to fund a runoff race on Dec. 6 that cost an additional $6,200.

The super-majority rule has applied to the city’s mayoral race as well since 1991.

But the council is not changing that ordinance. Members said the additional cost is worth it to ensure the elected mayor has full voter support.

“Whether a mandate or simply clearer direction that he is to be the next mayor, it’s no squabbles about it, no concerns about it because he had the most votes,” said council member Christopher Jensen. “It clarifies it being that he is the chief executive officer of the city.”

Council members felt extra clarity is needed since being mayor is a full time job that comes with more authority, whereas the cost of the runoff is more than a councilman would make in a year.

Since the super-majority ordinances have been in effect, runoff elections have been held once for a mayoral race and twice for city council positions.

City Clerk Suzanne McNeel said each time, the person who’s won the initial election has gone on to win the runoff as well.

The change takes effect at the end of January.