GIRLS STATE CITY ELECTIONS
While cities in Alabama utilize various forms of municipal government structures, each city at Alabama Girls State operates under a Mayor/Council. City elections will be conducted on Sunday.
Candidates for City Offices:
Speak briefly to your city on Sunday during the first city meeting. (Please note that you will have very little time to campaign for city office so posters and other campaign material are not needed.)
RESPONSILBITIES OF CITY OFFICIALS AT GIRLS STATE
CITY GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE
Cities and towns in Alabama have one of three forms of government: the mayor-council plan, the commission plan, or the council-manager plan. By far the largest number of cities and towns use the mayor-council plan. However, the commission form is in place in the larger cities, except Birmingham and Huntsville.
Mayor-Council, the council members are elected by the voters of the city, usually in single member districts, but sometimes by the city as a whole. The mayor is also elected by the people and serves primarily as an administrative officer.
The duties of the mayor may include appointing department heads in order to carry the executive responsibilities in such departments as street, fire, police, utilities, garbage, recreation, etc. The mayor is also responsible for the financial matters of the city and operates within a budget adopted by the council. The mayors must not run for a county or state office.
The council acts as the legislative body for the city. The council has the power to pass, revise, and repeal city ordinances governing the city. It controls the financial matters through adopting budgets for all city departments. Councils often work through committees, which may correspond, to the departments within the city.
Mayors and department heads are responsible for administering the day-to-day work of the city and council members should restrict themselves to policy-making roles.
The mayor and the council make the determination whether or not to establish a municipal court for their city. If the court is established, the mayor and council appoint a licensed attorney to serve as municipal judge for a two-year term. Most municipal judges serve on a part time basis, except in metropolitan areas. Municipal courts have limited jurisdiction to hear cases alleging violation of municipal ordinances involving traffic, misdemeanors, and parking.
In the Commission Form, there is no separation of the executive and legislative functions. The three commissioners are elected from districts or the city-at-large and each commissioner has as much power as another. The departments are usually divided among the commissioners for supervision. All executive decisions must be approved by the commission as a whole. Ordinances are also adopted by the commission.
The commission may also establish a municipal court as described.
The third form of municipal government is the council manager plan, which is very similar to the commission form, but with a professional manager hired to handle day-to-day executive functions as directed by the council.
While cities in Alabama utilize various forms of municipal government structures, each city at Alabama Girls State operates under a Mayor/Council. City elections will be conducted on Sunday.
- Voting will be done by written ballots, to be distributed, collected, and counted by the counselors.
- The Mayor will preside over elections as soon as she is elected, must continue to serve all week, and are asked not to run for any additional offices.
Candidates for City Offices:
Speak briefly to your city on Sunday during the first city meeting. (Please note that you will have very little time to campaign for city office so posters and other campaign material are not needed.)
RESPONSILBITIES OF CITY OFFICIALS AT GIRLS STATE
- The Mayor presides over the election of the Councilmembers.
- Nominations and announcements for all four places will be made at once. Then each Citizen will vote for four women. The four with the highest number of votes will be elected.
- Nominations and announcement of candidacy will be received for each office from the floor. After nominations have been closed for each office or group of offices, voting will be done by paper ballot.
- The announcement of results will be immediately after the count. The permanent city clerk will keep a copy of the election returns and file with the City Headquarters.
- Election will be by majority. If no candidate receives a majority of the total vote, there will be a run-off between the candidates receiving the highest votes, held immediately.
- The elected City Officials are ultimately responsible for the efficient conduct of the affairs of the city. The City Council and Mayor are responsible for the supervision of the appointed city officials, through whom the municipal program must be carried out.
- Elected city council members are eligible to run for state office. Should they be elected to state office, their city office will be vacated, and the Council may appoint successors or hold a special election, at their discretion.
- At Girls State the elected Councilmembers or Commissioners serve as one of the following:
- The Parks and Recreational Director supervises the athletic program of the city, designating participants, team captains, etc.
- The Chief of Police is responsible for maintaining order and for reporting violations to the Mayor.
- The Environmental Engineer is responsible for keeping municipal streets (quarters) clean and in order.
- The Revenue Commissioner is responsible for collecting taxes and fines.
- At Girls State the elected Councilmembers or Commissioners serve as one of the following:
- City Governments should do the following things:
- Enact local ordinances providing rules for housekeeping, quiet, promptness in attendance, order, and other necessary matters.
- See that residents of the city are present, on time, at all Girls State activities.
- Plan and direct city participation in all activities.
- Prepare and sponsor at least two (2) bills in the Legislature.
- Enact local ordinances providing rules for housekeeping, quiet, promptness in attendance, order, and other necessary matters.
- The following appointments should be made:
- The City Clerk (1 for each party) as appointed by the Mayor, reports the names of city officials to the Secretary of State; keeps a roster of names of residents of the city; and performs such other duties as she may be directed to do.
- The following people are also appointed by the City Council to help in running of their city at Girls State:
- Public Relations Chairman
- Devotional Chairman
- Skit Night Chairman
- Newspaper Editor – Not limited to 1 person
- Town Crier
- City Officials will also serve as election officials for county and state Primary and General Elections.
CITY GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE
Cities and towns in Alabama have one of three forms of government: the mayor-council plan, the commission plan, or the council-manager plan. By far the largest number of cities and towns use the mayor-council plan. However, the commission form is in place in the larger cities, except Birmingham and Huntsville.
Mayor-Council, the council members are elected by the voters of the city, usually in single member districts, but sometimes by the city as a whole. The mayor is also elected by the people and serves primarily as an administrative officer.
The duties of the mayor may include appointing department heads in order to carry the executive responsibilities in such departments as street, fire, police, utilities, garbage, recreation, etc. The mayor is also responsible for the financial matters of the city and operates within a budget adopted by the council. The mayors must not run for a county or state office.
The council acts as the legislative body for the city. The council has the power to pass, revise, and repeal city ordinances governing the city. It controls the financial matters through adopting budgets for all city departments. Councils often work through committees, which may correspond, to the departments within the city.
Mayors and department heads are responsible for administering the day-to-day work of the city and council members should restrict themselves to policy-making roles.
The mayor and the council make the determination whether or not to establish a municipal court for their city. If the court is established, the mayor and council appoint a licensed attorney to serve as municipal judge for a two-year term. Most municipal judges serve on a part time basis, except in metropolitan areas. Municipal courts have limited jurisdiction to hear cases alleging violation of municipal ordinances involving traffic, misdemeanors, and parking.
In the Commission Form, there is no separation of the executive and legislative functions. The three commissioners are elected from districts or the city-at-large and each commissioner has as much power as another. The departments are usually divided among the commissioners for supervision. All executive decisions must be approved by the commission as a whole. Ordinances are also adopted by the commission.
The commission may also establish a municipal court as described.
The third form of municipal government is the council manager plan, which is very similar to the commission form, but with a professional manager hired to handle day-to-day executive functions as directed by the council.