Bay City Commissioners voted Monday to shift city elections from odd to even years as part of updating the City Charter.

Charter Commission President Kristen McDonald Rivet says the move will save the city money by putting votes on gubernatorial or presidential ballots, meaning more voter turnout. Rivet added candidates running this fall for a City Commission seat or Mayor will see a one time extension of their terms to five years to keep election cycles in line.

She expects city voters will also decide on the revised Charter proposal in November once the Michigan Attorney General formally approves the wording by late July or early August.