By Jack Tomczuk<\/p>\n
Should members of City Council be allowed to remain in their positions while running for state or federal office?<\/p>\n
Philadelphians appear set to decide through a question on May\u2019s primary ballot, after Council approved legislation last week. The measure still needs the signature of Mayor Cherelle Parker.<\/p>\n
The existing \u201cresign-to-run\u201d rule has been on the books since the 1950s, when the current City Charter, the municipal government\u2019s foundational document, went into effect. It requires city employees, including elected officials, to step down before seeking political office, unless they are running for reelection.<\/p>\n
Though \u201cyes\u201d almost always prevails when it comes to ballot questions, voters have twice rejected ditching resign-to-run over the past two decades. Most recently, the requirement was retained in the 2014 primary by a margin of 54% to 46%.<\/p>\n
Rather than completely eliminate the provision, the proposed charter change would keep some elements.<\/p>\n
City Council members would still need to resign to run for mayor, district attorney, or any other local office, and candidates would be barred from appearing on the ballot for two positions in the same election.<\/p>\n
Almost all municipal government employees would still need to quit before launching a campaign; only elected officials would be exempt from resign-to-run. The mayor would also need to step down, according to representatives from the office of Councilmember Isaiah Thomas, the sponsor of the legislation.<\/p>\n