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 Portsmouth
 Code of Ordinances
 Part I. CHARTER
 Chapter 3. CITY COUNCIL

  § 3.03. Election of mayor and city council members.  

Latest version.

  • a.

    On the first Tuesday in May in nineteen hundred seventy-four, and on the first Tuesday in May of every fourth year thereafter, there shall be a general election at which time the qualified voters of the city shall elect three city council members for terms of four (4) years. On the first Tuesday in May nineteen hundred seventy-six, and on the first Tuesday in May of every fourth year thereafter, there shall be a general election at which the qualified voters of the city shall elect a mayor and three (3) council members for terms of four (4) years. All terms shall begin on the first day of July next following the date of their election.

    However, beginning in 2012, the municipal election shall be held at the time of the November general election with terms to commence on January 1. No term of a mayor or member of council elected in 2008 or 2010 shall be shortened in implementing the change to the November election date. The mayor and members of council who were elected at a May general election and whose terms are to expire as of June 30 shall continue in office until their successors have been elected at the November general election and have been qualified to serve.

    b.

    The candidates at any municipal election for the election of city council members, equal in number to the places to be filled, who receive the largest number of votes cast at such election shall be declared elected to the office of city council. The candidate for mayor who receives the largest number of votes at any municipal election shall be declared elected to the office of mayor.

    c.

    In the event any member of city council during his or her tenure of office shall desire to be a candidate for the office of mayor, the member shall be eligible to do so without having to resign his or her office.

    d.

    Reserved.

    e.

    The city clerk shall notify all successful candidates of the process to qualify for office immediately after their election has been certified by the proper officials.

    (Memo. of 5-15-2015)

(Memo. of 5-15-2015)