Title
Receive and accept the certified results of the examination of the petition “Initiative to provide dedicated, locally controlled funding to increase and improve licensed childcare and early learning opportunities, funded by an annual special parcel tax in the amount of forty-nine dollars ($49) on each parcel of real property located within Monterey County, with limited exceptions, for ten (10) years”.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Receive and accept the certified results of the examination of the petition “Initiative to provide dedicated, locally controlled funding to increase and improve licensed childcare and early learning opportunities, funded by an annual special parcel tax in the amount of forty-nine dollars ($49) on each parcel of real property located within Monterey County, with limited exceptions, for ten (10) years”.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Members of the public submitted to the Elections Department an initiative to provide locally controlled funding related to childcare and early learning opportunities funded by an annual special parcel tax. Pursuant to California Elections Code, County Counsel prepared a Ballot Title and Summary that was included on the petition for circulation. In accordance with California Elections Code section 9115, the Registrar of Voters is submitting the Certificate of Initiative to your Board. The Certificate of Initiative shows the total number of signatures submitted and the results of a random sample of three percent of those signatures.
Pursuant to California Elections Code section 9115, since the number of petition signatures exceeded 500, a random sample was drawn using a methodology so that every signature would have an equal opportunity to be included in the sample. California Elections Code section 9118 requires the initiative petition to be signed by ten percent of the votes cast in the county for all candidates for Governor at the last gubernatorial general election preceding the publication of the notice of intention to circulate an initiative petition. The Statement of Votes Cast for the November 6, 2018 California General Election reports a total of 116,164 votes cast for Governor.
Each petition signature selected throughout the random selection process was examined against the related voter’s record of registration to determine validity. Of the three percent or 655 signatures verified in the random sampling, 507 were deemed valid, 148 were found not sufficient, and zero duplicate signatures were identified. Based on the results of the random sampling, the petition is projected to have 16,824 valid signatures or 14 percent of the votes cast for Governor in the last gubernatorial election.
Upon completion of the examination of the petition, the Department has determined that there are sufficient signatures to warrant further action on the petition pursuant to California Elections Code section 9118.
The petition proponents have been informed of the sufficiency of the petition.
County Counsel will present to the Board your options for next steps under the Elections Code.
Copies of the Certificate to Initiative are on file with the Clerk of the Board.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel collaborated on, reviewed and approved the recommendation.
FINANCING:
There will be no additional cost to the County General Fund associated with receiving the certification.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This item is in line with the Board’s vision for providing efficient service and cost neutral administration.
Check the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives:
☒ Administration:
Promote an organization that practices efficient and effective resource management and
is recognized for responsiveness, strong customer orientation, accountability and
transparency.
Prepared by: Genesis Medellin Cabaccang, Elections Program Manager, Ext. 1486
Approved by: Gina Martinez, Registrar of Voters, Ext. 1499
Attachments:
Exhibit A - Certificate to Initiative