HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/09/1992 BAKERSFIELD
Patricia M. Smith, Chair
Patricia J. DeMond
Lynn Edwards
Staff: Trudy Slater
Larry Lunardini
AGENDA
LEGISLATIVE AND LITIGATION COMMITTEE
Monday, March 9, 1992
12:00 Noon
City Manager's Conference Room
1. Council Elections
2. Current Legislative Issues
3. Set Next Meeting
MEMORANDUM
MARCH 9, 1992
TO: TRUDY SLATER, ADMINISTRATIVE ANALYST
FROM:
SUBJECT: ELECTION - DATE CHANGE
In response to your memorandum dated March 5, 1992, G.C. Sec.
36503.5(E) specifically deals with the procedures and requirements
if the City Council adopted an Ordinance to change election dates.
I spoke with Hugh Denton, Kern County Registrar of Voters, and
Louise Closs, Assistant City Attorney, and confirmed this is their
interpretation also.
The City Council has the option of adopting an Ordinance changing
the Election date, and in that case, the City Clerk would be
required to send a Notice to all registered voters at an estimated
cost of $20,000 to $25,000.
If the Council chooses to place the issue/question on the ballot
for the November Statewide General Election, Section 36503.5 would
not appear to be applicable. However, in reviewing Section
36503.5, the City would still be in compliance with its provisions
by: "
1. Mailing sample ballots to each residence in
the City;
2. Said sample ballot will inform the voter of
the change in the election date, and the
change in terms of office for elected city
officeholders;
3. Ho term of office would be increased or
decreased by more than 12 months;
4. The City of Bakersfield currently complies
with the Code Sections relating to
Consolidations of elections.
In ~nswer to your second question, regarding costs involved with
ballot change, there would be no "special' one-time" costs
associated with our changing the election date.
cc: Dale Hawley, City Manager
Legislative and Litigation Committee
Lawrence Lunardini, City Attorney
Louise Closs, Assistant City Attorney
GALE. S. EN TAD
"~SSELL C: GROVE COUNTY CLERK -- RECORDER CLERK'S OFFICE
':*-~ ~,* Asststam County C:em-Recorcler Tetel3none (805)861-2621
A{3mm & Courts 8uilcling
1415 Truxlun Avenue
. WILLIAM W. BURKE ~ Room210
Chief Deouty Cle~ ',~'/'~,z~ Bakershela. Califorma 93301
ELECTIONS DIVISION
SHARON CLARK Teleonone {805) 861-2625
Justice Buitl3ing
Chief Deou~f Recoraer 1215 Truxtun Avenue
Room 44
HUGH R DENTON Ba|(ersf,e'la. Califorma 93301
C~ief Ceou~y Reo~strar RECORDER'S OFFICE
' Teleonone ~805) 861-2181
hall Of Recorcis
~AR~,RA J. jARRE"/'r' ~655 C~ester Avenue
Asst. C~:e~ OeDu,W. C;ert( BaKers~e~a. Cahforma 93301
November 25, 1991
Mayor Clarence Medders -: ~ .-.
1501 Truxtun Avenue
Bakersfield, CA 933.01 '-~
Dear Mayor Medders:
I read, .with interest, the recent article in the Bakersfield
Californian, which recommended changing the election ~-.date "for
members ofthe City Council to the Primary Election.
I would like to make you aware of some concerns I have with City
Council elections being consolidated with the Primary Election
rather than the Statewide General Election held in November of each
even numbered year.
The Primary EleCtion is a complex election involving 300 to 400
ballot types, as it is a partisan nominating election. Holding the.
City Election at the same time will only increase the number of
ballot types,.further increasing election costs.
Voter turnout is 20% to 25% higher for the November election, thus
insuring greater voter participation in the City's election.
All of the school districts in the City have scheduled their
elections in November, thus giving the City a larger number of
districts with which they can share' costs, and further reduce
election expenses for the City.
There are fewer candidates and issues on the NOvember ballot,
therefore, there is less chance for city candidates to be "lost in
the maze" of Primary Election Candidates.
Page 2.
Please let me know if you have any questions, or wish to discuss
this matter further.
Chief Deputy Registrar
HD/s!d
cc: Carol Williams, City Clerk