The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2025 City Election Information SessionCITY ELECTION INFORMATION SESSION August 11, 2025 Quick Facts •Three City Council Districts •District 1 (4-Year Term)•District 4 (4-Year Term)•District 6 (4-Year Term) The candidate filing period is August 18 –August 29 District Boundaries https://meridiancity.org/city-council/city-council-districts/ Elected Official Responsibilities •Act as legislative and policy-making branch of government of the city •Attend and participate in City Council meetings •Meetings held the first four Tuesdays of each month: 4:30 (Work Session) and 6:00 (Regular Meeting) •Special meetings with elected officials of other agencies(ACHD, WASD, etc.) •Department Liaison appointments •Appointments to other boards (Meridian Development Corporation, Valley Regional Transit, etc.) Elected Official Pay and Benefits •Annual City Council Compensation of $17,355.00. •City Council members receive the same benefits of regular, full-time city employees, with the exception of vacation and sick leave accrual. https://meridiancity.org/human-resources/employee-benefits/ What is it like to serve? William L.M. Nary •Meridian City Council from 2002 – 2004 •Current City Attorney Getting Your Name on the Ballot •Candidates must file the Declaration of Candidacy and…. •Option A: Petition of Candidacy with five or more signatures of qualified electors who reside within the Meridian City limits – verified by Ada County Elections •Option B: $40 filing fee, payable by cash, check, money order, or credit/debit card Candidate Requirements Candidates for City Council must meet the following qualifications: •At least 18 years of age at the time of filing a Declaration of Candidacy •A United States citizen •A primary residence within the City of Meridian for at least 30 days prior to filing •A qualified elector within the City, a resident of the City Council District they are running for at the time of filing, and registered at the address listed on their declaration, however the following applies: •The candidate may change their voter registration to update their address prior to filing for the specific district. •The standard registration requirements will apply, and specifically, the Candidate will have to present acceptable proof of residence pursuant to Idaho Law. •The residence of the Candidate must be the same as any Homestead Exemption claimed by the Candidate as identified through the Idaho State Tax Commission – verified by the County Clerk. Campaign Finance Campaign Finance Reporting is completed within the Secretary of State’s Campaign Finance Portal •Once a candidate has raised or spent $500, they must file the appointment of a political treasurer and begin reporting in the portal/ •Upon filing your Declaration of Candidacy, you are the default political treasurer. https://sos.Idaho.gov/elections-division/campaign-finance-filing Petition for Candidacy •In lieu of $40 filing fee, this form is filed with signatures from five (5) or more qualified electors •Must be a qualified elector •At least 18 years of age •A U.S. citizen •A resident of the city of Meridian •A registered voter •Qualified electors may sign multiple petitions •Candidates may sign their own petition Declaration of Candidacy •The form which places your name on the ballot. •Declare the district for which you are seeking election. •Verifies your address against voter registration. •Acknowledge campaign finance rules. •Certifies information as true and accurate. •Must be notarized (The City Clerk’s staff are able to notarize for you). Write -In Candidates •Votes for a write-in candidate cannot be counted unless the person has filed as a write-in candidate •Write -in candidates are not required to file petition of candidacy or pay filing fee •Write -in candidates must file declaration by September 5 Withdrawal of Candidacy •The deadline to withdraw candidacy is Friday, September 5 •After that date, the candidate name will remain on the ballot Frequently Asked Questions Frequently Asked Questions “Where can I place my campaign signs?” •No signage may be placed on public or private property without permission. •No signage may be placed on any city property. •If a public utility grants permission for one candidate, they must allow all candidates for the same office to place signage. Frequently Asked Questions “Are there term limits for City Council?” •No. The term limits statute was repealed by the 2002 Idaho Legislature. •There are no restrictions on the number of terms an elected city council member may serve. Frequently Asked Questions “My name is Margaret, but people know me as Maggie. Can I run as ‘Maggie’?” •The name on the ballot must appear exactly as it is written on the Declaration of Candidacy. •File your declaration as you wish your name to appear on the official ballot. Frequently Asked Questions “Who can notarize my declaration or petition?” •Any Notary duly authorized by the State of Idaho can notarize your documents, including City Clerk’s Office staff. Frequently Asked Questions “Can I campaign on Election Day?” •Yes. However “electioneering” is a criminal offense. •You may not campaign or distribute materials within a building where an election is being held, nor may you do so within 100 feet of a polling place, regardless of the location being public or private property. •City Hall is an early-voting site, as well as a polling location. Please note: This also applies to Early Voting or In-Person Absentee Voting locations while voting is taking place. The dotted line represents 100’ from City Hall Entrance and Absentee Ballot Dropbox Frequently Asked Questions “Can residents of Meridian’s Area of Impact vote for City Council candidates?” •No. Idaho Code does not allow nonresidents to vote in City elections. •It is important to note that having a Meridian ZIP code does not correlate to being a Meridian resident. •Those in doubt should verify their address with Ada County Elections. Frequently Asked Questions “What if I live in District 2, 3 or 5?” •Only those living in Districts 1, 4, and 6 will see City Council on their ballot. •Elections for Districts 2, 3, and 5 will be held in November 2027. Frequently Asked Questions “When does the term of office begin?” •Those elected to office will be sworn into office at the first City Council Regular Meeting of 2026 (currently scheduled for January 6, 2026). •The City Clerk will remain in contact with elected officials to confirm date, time, and location. Frequently Asked Questions “I want to file a complaint about….” •Complaints should be made in writing to the City Clerk’s Office. They can be mailed, emailed, or delivered in person. •Provide as much detail as possible, as well as contact information. •All complaints will be investigated by the City Clerk and the City Attorney. Shall the City Council of the City of Meridian (“City”) be authorized and empowered to increase the City’s budget and levy, pursuant to Idaho Code section 63-802(1)(g), by $5,018,125.71 to provide ongoing funding for firefighters, police officers, and a prosecution unit? The levy will be used to (1) retain 13 firefighter positions following the exhaustion of grant funds; (2) increase police officer wages to recruit and retain officers; and (3) fund a prosecution unit to prosecute crimes. The date of the election is November 4, 2025. The City will collect $5,018,125.71 from the levy, beyond any amount otherwise allowed by law, beginning with the fiscal year commencing on October 1, 2026, which amount will be added to the City’s annual budget for the purposes of Idaho Code section 63-802 and continue each fiscal year thereafter. The estimated average annual cost to the taxpayer will be a tax of $20.11 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value, per year, based on current conditions. _ IN FAVOR of authorizing the budget and levy increase in the amount of $5,018,125.71 _ AGAINST authorizing the budget and levy increase in the amount of $5,018.125.71 https://meridiancity.org/publicsafetylevy/ Public Safety Levy Ballot Question Contact Information Chris Johnson | City Clerk City of Meridian | City Clerk’s Office 33 E. Broadway Ave., Meridian, Idaho 83642 Phone: 208.888.4433|Email: cjohnson@meridiancity.org Bill Nary | City Attorney & Risk Manager City of Meridian | City Attorney’s Office 33 E. Broadway Ave., Meridian, Idaho 83642 Phone: 208.898.5506 | Email: bnary@meridiancity.org