The optional form of government, known as the council-mayor form, was adopted by Ogden City in November 1990 and implemented on January 6, 1992. This form of government vests the power in two separate, independent, and equal branches of municipal government: the executive branch consisting of a full-time mayor, chief administrative officer, and administrative departments and offices; and the legislative branch consisting of a seven-member council and staff. The mayor is elected at-large by the voters of Ogden City for a term of four years. Of the seven-member city council, one is elected from each of the four municipal wards of the City and three are elected from the City at-large, all of whom are elected for four-year terms.

The Mayor is the chief executive officer of the City and is its official ceremonial head. The Mayor receives an annual salary plus cost of living increases when approved by the Council. In addition, the Mayor is provided with a monthly vehicle allowance and those employee benefits generally provided to other employees of the City. The Mayor is reimbursed for actual travel expenditures related to official duties conducted outside of the City, in addition to the above salary compensation.

The City Council is the legislative body of the City. The Councilmembers also receive annual salaries that are intended to cover expenditures Councilmembers may make related to official duties performed with the City. The Chair, Vice Chair and Councilmembers are reimbursed for actual travel expenditures related to official duties conducted outside of the City, in addition to the above salary compensation.

Council terms are staggered so only four members are up for election at one time, and the other three run at the same time as the mayoral election. Ogden at-large candidates run for three distinctive seats on the Council: Seat A, Seat B and Seat C. Unlike some other cities which take the top vote getters for the at-large seats, Ogden City takes the top vote getter for each seat.

Anyone wishing to file for candidacy must meet the following qualifications:

1. United States citizen at time of filing.
2. At least 18 years old.
3. Registered voter of Ogden City.
4. Resident of Ogden City or resident of a recently annexed area for a period of 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the date of election.
5. If running as a candidate to be elected from a specific Municipal Ward, the candidate must have been an actual and bona fide resident of that Municipal Ward for at least 60 days immediately preceding the date of election.

Individuals filing as candidates for City Council or Mayor are required to pay a $25 fee at the time of filing their candidacy with the City Recorder. This filing fee is refundable only if it is determined the person filing is not qualified to be a candidate or has improperly filed. Detailed candidate information is available at the City Recorder's Office.

Candidates must file a Declaration of Candidacy form with the City Recorder between July 1 and July 16, 2007 during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.   Any resident of Ogden City may nominate a candidate by filing a Nominating Petition with the City Recorder, which must be signed by 25 residents of Ogden City who are at least 18 years old. Those who sign need not be registered voters.

Each candidate must have a personal campaign committee registered with the City Recorder prior to any contributions being received or expenditures made for political purposes on behalf of the candidate. The committee may consist of one or more members, but no candidate may have more than one committee. A candidate individually may constitute the committee. The Registration of Personal Campaign Committee form must indicate the candidate's personal campaign committee has been appointed or elected, and must give the name and address of each member and must designate the secretary of the committee.  Periodic campaign financial disclosure reports must be filed with the City Recorder prior to, during and after the elections.

 Polling Places

Polling places are located in public schools or other public buildings. The list of polling places is published in the Standard-Examiner, along with the voting precinct map, the Sunday prior to each election. Copies of the approved list of polling places can be obtained from the City Recorder's Office once it has been adopted by the City Council, which should be mid-August , and will be posted on the web site.

Absent-Voter ballots will be available for the primary election in mid-August 2007, and for the general election in mid-October 2007. Any registered voter who anticipates being absent from the City on election day may make application for a ballot from the City Recorder's Office located on the second floor of the Municipal Building, Suite 210, 2549 Washington Boulevard, or by calling the City Recorder's Office (801-629-8150) and requesting an application by mail or fax. A hospitalized voter, defined as a registered voter who is hospitalized or otherwise confined to a medical or long-term care institution, may obtain an emergency absentee ballot and vote on election day. Contact the City Recorder for more information on the process.

Questions

 Call the City Recorder's Office at (801) 629-8150, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.