Title
Adopt a Resolution to:
Approve the City of Carmel-By-The-Sea’s Ordinance that will move the city’s municipal election date to the same day as the Statewide General Election beginning in November 2018.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors adopt a Resolution to:
Approve the Ordinance No. 2017-008 of the City of Carmel-By-The-Sea moving the date of the city’s general municipal election from the second Tuesday in April of even-numbered years to the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of even-numbered years beginning in November of 2018 in accordance with the attached Exhibit A.
SUMMARY:
Sections 1301 and 10403.5 of the California Elections Code authorizes a city to require, by enactment of an ordinance, that its municipal election be held on the same day as the statewide general election, and such ordinance adopted shall become operative upon approval by the County Board of Supervisors.
The City Council of Carmel-By-The-Sea filed an ordinance with the Clerk of the Board, requesting approval of the change of election date as attached in Exhibit B.
DISCUSSION:
On June 6, 2017, the City Council of Carmel-By-The-Sea adopted Ordinance No. 2017-008 to move the city’s general municipal election from the second Tuesday in April of even-numbered years to the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of even-numbered years. Pursuant to the Ordinance, the next municipal election will be November 6, 2018 if approved by the County Board of Supervisors.
Pursuant to EC 1301, a city has the ability to transition to the statewide general election by the enactment of an ordinance.
Pursuant to EC 10403.5(a), an ordinance that is adopted by the city “shall be approved by the board of supervisors” prior to the ordinance becoming operative.
Moving the city’s request would have some impact on the Registrar of Voters' (ROV) election systems, including the ballot layout, voting, ballot counting and election reporting systems. There would be an increase in the number of ballot types and possibly the length of even-year election ballots and could cause an additional ballot card. The ROV is in the process of adapting systems and infrastructure to accommodate this new law and anticipates it will be prepared for the November 2018 election and the additional volume generated.
Pursuant to EC 10403.5(e), “within 30 days after the ordinance becomes operative, the city elections official shall cause a notice to be mailed 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, the terms of office of the elected city officeholders will be changed.” The City Clerk of Carmel-By-The-Sea is to prepare a mailing to all concerned voters within the timeframe, upon approval by the Board.
Pursuant to EC 10403.5(b), moving the election date from the second Tuesday in April of even-numbered years to the statewide general election in November of even-numbered years will result in an increase to each incumbent’s term that is no more than 12 months. The term of office of the Mayor and Councilmembers whose term will expire in April 2018 will be continued until the general election is held in November 2018; likewise, the term of office of the Councilmembers whose term will expire in April 2020 will be continued until the general election is held in November 2020.
The proposed resolution to approve the ordinance moving the election date change reflects state laws, as well as Election Code. Elections is recommending that the Board approve the proposed resolution to change the election date pursuant to all attachments.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The City of Carmel-By-The-Sea Council passed Ordinance No. 2017-008 and approved the election date change. County Counsel has reviewed and approved the resolution (Exhibit A).
FINANCING:
Pursuant to EC 10403.5(a), “prior to adoption of a resolution to either approve or deny a consolidation request, the board or boards of supervisors shall each obtain from the elections official a report on the cost-effectiveness of the proposed action.” The cost-effectiveness of the proposed action is attached in Exhibit C. There is no impact to the County General Fund anticipated with this recommendation for this fiscal year.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This item is in line with the Board’s vision for providing efficient service and cost neutral administration. Approval will support higher voter turnout for smaller districts and consolidate election cycles, effectively streamlining the use of resources with a positive impact to local agencies and voters.
Prepared by: Approved by:
_______________________________ ________________________________
Jessica Cedillo x 1486 Claudio Valenzuela x 1499
Program Manager Registrar of Voters
Attachments:
Exhibit A - [Proposed] Resolution Adopting the City of Carmel-By-The-Sea Ordinance No. 2017-008
Exhibit B - Certified Copy of the City of Carmel-By-The-Sea, Ordinance No. 2017-008
Exhibit C - Cost-effectiveness of Proposed Action to Approve Ordinance No. 2017-008