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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNB 5 CONSOL ELEC'S 05-19-86TO: gi111a~ A. Huston, City Manager FROM: Mary E. Wynn, C~ty Clerk SUBJECT: CONSOLIOAT[ON OF ELECTIONS RECOMMENDATION: Pleasure of the City Council. BACKGROUND: The following information has been compiled from the Registrar of Voters, Bob Dunek of the League of Cities, Martin & Chapman, Election Suppliers, and City Clerks from Irvine, Laguna Beach, and Orange:, COSTS'FOR ELECTIONS: CONSOLIDATION WITH THE COUNTY County costs City costs for nomination papers and publishing costs 1984 CITY ELECTION COSTS 1986 CITY ELECTION COSTS $4,000 $ 15o $11,695.76 $13,000.00 (Estimated) The above costs do not include City Clerk and staff time. ARGUMENTS FOR CONSOLIDATION OF ELECTIONS: Costs are much less. Increased voter turnout. Nov. 1982 election (Tustin): 16,741 registered voters 11,003 voted 66% turnout Nov. 1984 election (Tustin): 19,401 registered voters 13,868 voted 71.50% voter turnout April, 1986 City election: 17,351 registered voters 3,681 voted 21.21% voter turnout (The County purged the records of registered voters after the 1984 election.) ARGUMENTS AGAINST CONSOLIDATION OF ELECTIONS: Costs by the County to candidates for printing statements is almost double. Candidates need to conduct a larger campaign to even be recognized. Mailings need to be sent to the whole city. Because of loss of recog- nition for the candidates, the City of Irvine mailed their own candi- dates' statements separate from the County Sample Ballot. The price candidates pay is loss of visibility. They get lost in the shuffle of the election. A lot of attention is given to higher offices and it is more difficult to get contributions. Results of the election cannot be received by telephone until about 4 a.m. on Wednesday morning. No results by precincts is available until the results are certified. Certified results are not ready until 2 weeks to 28 days. Because of this, the elected officials cannot be sworn in on the Tuesday after the election. The City Council meeting to install the' elected offi- cials will have to be extended. For a consolidated election, the City Clerk is still responsible for handling nomi- nation papers and candidates statements, checking signatures on nomination papers, distributing and receiving forms for campaign expenses, and preparing resolutions and advertising notices. MARY E. WYNN CITY CLERK FROH: SUBJECT: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE PROCEDURES FOR CONSOLIDATION OF MUNICIPAL AND GENERAL ELECTIONS You have recently requested that this office review those pro- cedures which must be implemented in order to consolidate a general municipal election with the statewide general election. Although not required by law, other cities submitted the question of consolidation of the elections to the voters prior to initi- ating proceedings to consolidate. Another method of ascertaining voter sentiment concerning the question of'consolidation would, be to schedule a public hearing on this issue, and provide notice of the public hearing to all registered voters. Although such a public hearing could prove costly if mailed notice is provided, the expense should prove to be less costly than a special elec- tion. 'After having submitted the question of consolidation of elections to the voters, at a public hearing or in a special election, or after determining to proceed to consolidate without submitting the question of consolidation to the voters, the City Council may enact an Ordinance requiring its general municipal election to be held on the same day as the statewide general election. The City's Ordinance would become operative upon approval by the Board of Supervisors. Such an Ordinance would be approved by the Board of Supervisors unless the ballot style, voting equipment, or computer capability is such that additional elections or materials cannot be handled. As the result of the adoption of an Ordinance consolidating elections, no term of office shall be increased or decreased by more than ten (10) months. At the same time that the City Council adopts an Ordinance to consolidate the general municipal election with the general statewide election, the City shall, file with the Board of Super- visors (and a copy with the County Clerk), at least-88 days prior to the date of the election, a Resolution of the City Council requesting consolidation and setting forth the exact form of any question, proposition, or office to be voted upon at such elec- tion, as the same is to appear on the ballot. A question or proposition to appear on the ballot shall conform to the pro- visions of the Elections Code governing the wording of proposi- tions submitted to the voters of a statewide election. (Elec- tions Code Section 23302.) Within thirty [30) days after the Ordinance requiring the City's general municipal election to be held on the same day as the statewide general election becomes operative, the City Clerk shall mail a notice to all registered voters informing the voters of the change in the election date. The notice shall also inform the voters that as a result in the change in the election date, elected City officeholders terms in office will be changed. If the general municipal election is held on the same day as the statewide general election, those City officers whose terms of office would have, prior to the adoption of the Ordinance, ex- pired on the Tuesday succeeding the second Tuesday in April of an even numbered year, shall instead, continue in their offices until no later than the fourth Tuesday after the day of the general municipal election, and until their successors are elected and qualified. (Government Code Section 36503.5.) The names of the candidates to appear upon the ballot where City offices are to be filled shall be filed with the County Clerk no later than 81 days prior to the election. (Elections Code Sec- tion 23302.) Whenever a municipal election is consolidated with a regularly scheduled election, the period for the filing of .nomination documents by candidates shall commence on the ll3th day prior to the election. The nomination documents shall be filed not later than 5:00 P.M. on the 88th day prior to the regularly scheduled election in the office of the appropriate officer during regular office hours. (Elections Code Section 23302.5.) In case of the consolidation of any election called by the City Council with an election held in the County in which the City is situated, the City Council may authorize the Board of Supervisors to canvass the returns of the election. If this authority is given, the election shall be held in all respects as if there were only one election, only one form of ballot shall be used, and the return for the election need not be canvassed by the City Council. (Elections Code Section 23306.) The precincts used at the consolidated election shall be those used for the statewide election, and where necessary, the County Clerk may adjust pre- cinct lines to coincide with the boundaries of the particular jurisdiction. (Elections Code Sections 23303, 23314.) If the City adopts an Ordinance consolidating its general municipal election with the statewide general election, the municipal election following the adoption of the Ordinance, and each municipal election thereafter, shall be conducted on the date specified in the Ordinance unless the Ordinance in question is later repealed by the City Council. If the date of the general municipal election is consolidated or is changed to be held on the same day as the statewide general election, at least one election shall be held before the Ordinance, as approved by the Board of Supervisors, may be subsequently repealed or amended. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the under signed. ~q~ITY ATTORNEY DEPUTY CITY A'r,'ORNEY SDA: cj :D: 05/13/86(22) SDA:cj :R: 05/13/86 (22)