Proposition Q: Power of Referendum – Expanding Access to Citizen Oversight

Proposition Q amends Section 8.02 of the Harker Heights Charter to reduce the number of signatures required to initiate a referendum. The new threshold lowers the requirement from 25% of votes cast in the last municipal election to 10% of the total number of registered voters in the city.

Key Considerations:

• Lowering the Signature Threshold:
  • This change makes it easier for citizens to bring ordinances to a vote, promoting more accessible oversight of city decisions.
  • With a lower threshold, residents can more actively challenge ordinances they disagree with, increasing public involvement in local governance.
• Measuring by Registered Voters Instead of Votes Cast:
  • While not all registered voters participate in every election, using the voter rolls ensures that the referendum threshold reflects the full electorate, not just recent voters.
  • This shift could make the process fairer by giving more weight to the entire voter base, even those who didn’t vote in the last election.

Reasons to Vote YES on Proposition Q:

• Promote Citizen Oversight: Lowering the threshold allows residents to more easily hold the city accountable by challenging ordinances through the referendum process.
• Encourage Civic Engagement: A more accessible referendum process encourages broader public involvement in local governance, empowering residents to have a say in decisions affecting them.
• Ensure Fair Representation: Using the total registered voter count, rather than votes cast, ensures that the referendum process represents all eligible voters, not just those who participated in the last election.

Conclusion: Consider Voting YES on Proposition Q

Proposition Q offers an opportunity to expand access to the referendum process and encourage greater civic participation. While there is a risk of increased petitions, the ability to challenge ordinances is a fundamental part of democracy. This change empowers residents and aligns with best practices seen in other cities. Voting YES on Proposition Q could foster a more engaged and responsive local government.

For more information, visit the official Harker Heights Election Page.