Council opens study of at-large election format after high undervote counts in past elections

City councilors asked staff to study changes to the city’s at-large election format after a councilor pointed to high undervote totals in previous contests.

Councilor (speaker 10) said the at-large seat contest typically draws many undervotes and suggested printing two separately numbered at-large seats on the ballot so voters would select one candidate per seat instead of the current plurality-at-large approach in which voters may be instructed to "pick two." The councilor argued the change could reduce undervotes and make ballots easier for voters to follow.

City Attorney Gifford briefed council on the legal options and history of plurality-at-large in Pueblo. He said the system dates to the charter’s original design and that the city could change the practice either by amending the municipal code (a policy option) or via a charter amendment that would more fundamentally alter how the seats are staggered. The city clerk and other councilors warned possible drawbacks: separate numbered seats could encourage strategic seat selection by candidates, might produce winners with lower overall vote totals than a candidate defeated under the current system, and could confuse voters if not well publicized.

Several councilors suggested additional study — including whether ranked-choice voting could better address undervotes — and asked legal and clerk staff to return with options, risks and implementation steps before any ordinance or charter proposal is advanced. No ordinance or vote was taken at the meeting.