In Support of Local Control Over Elections
Adopted at the 94th Annual Meeting in 2026
WHEREAS, the United States Constitution gives the power to regulate the time, place, and manner of elections to states and localities, with a limited role for Congress in setting rules for federal elections; and
WHEREAS, city and county governments are the backbone of election administration in the United States and administer federal elections often with limited to no financial support from the federal government; and
WHEREAS, mayors stand ready and willing to work with federal leadership to craft commonsense rules to ensure all elections are secure, accessible, and trusted, but reject federal efforts to dictate unfunded mandates to their cities; and
WHEREAS, the Constitution gives no power to the federal executive branch to draft election policy or impose election rules or regulations on states and localities,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that The United States Conference of Mayors calls on the federal government to adhere to the Constitution and respect the role of cities in election administration and to consult and collaborate with mayors on the development of any election policies, including full funding to cities and states for their implementation.