Title
Staff Report for Resolution Declaring Results of the General Municipal Election Held on Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Staffreport
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATION
The City of San Leandro held its General Municipal Election on Tuesday, November 4, 2014. The City's election was consolidated with the Statewide General Election, and was conducted by the Alameda County Registrar of Voters (ROV).
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution declaring the results of the City of San Leandro's General Municipal Election for Mayor, City Council Districts 1, 3 and 5, and Measures HH and II.
BACKGROUND
On June 16, 2014, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2014-058, which provided for the holding of the November 4, 2014 General Municipal Election. The election resolution included a request that the Alameda County Board of Supervisors permit the consolidation of the City's General Municipal Election with the Statewide General Election, and that the ROV provide necessary services related to the conduct of the election.
A Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) system was used to comply with the City Charter requirement to elect candidates by a 50% plus one majority. The successful candidates in Council Districts 3 and 5 won election with a 50% plus one majority of first choice votes, so the RCV algorithm was not employed; however, both the District 1 and Mayoral races were decided after eliminating all but the final two candidates.
As required by the California Elections Code, an official canvass was performed by the ROV, and a Statement of Election Results has been submitted to the City. A resolution accepting the Statement of Election Results and declaring the results of the election has been prepared for the City Council's adoption.
Current Agency Policies
Section 225(b) of the Charter of the City of San Leandro requires a successful candidate for elective office to receive at least 50% plus one of the votes cast for that office. In the event that no candidate receives 50% plus one of the votes cast for that office, the Charter requires the City Council to provide for a runoff vote to determine the person elected. The Charter provides that the runoff system may include an instant runoff voting system (i.e., RCV).
Previous Actions
· On April 19, 2010, the City Council passed to print and adopted Ordinance No. 2010-005, providing for the conduct of the General Municipal Election using RCV. The ordinance remains in effect for this election.
· On June 16, 2014, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2014-058, calling the November 4, 2014 General Municipal Election, requesting the Alameda County Board of Supervisors permit the consolidation of the City's General Municipal Election with the Statewide General Election, and requesting that the ROV conduct the election on the City's behalf.
· On July 7, 2014, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2014-074, placing Measure HH on the ballot, relating to the enactment of a one-half of one-percent (0.5%) transactions and use (sales) tax for thirty years.
· Also on July 7, 2014, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2014-075, placing Measure II on the ballot, relating to a Charter Amendment to provide that the Vice Mayor Designation be made at the first regular meeting in January of each year.
Summary of Public Outreach Efforts
· A Candidate Information page was added to the City website, listing the candidates' contact information, ballot designations and ballot statements, and pre-election campaign financial statements. The page was updated daily, or as new information was received.
· On September 8, 2014, City staff conducted a Candidate Orientation for all Mayoral and City Council candidates, and members of the public were invited. The Orientation provided information on City services and projects.
· Outreach/education for Ranked Choice Voting by the ROV and City staff included informational brochures in five languages, community presentations, a smart phone application, online informational videos, information in the Sample Ballot, special mailing to all voters, Public Service Announcements, and special RCV poll worker training.
· On October 8, 2014, a Notice of Nominees for Public Office and Measures to be Voted On was published in the Daily Review newspaper, pursuant to Elections Code Section 12110.
· A webpage for The Notice of Nominees for Public Office and Measures to be Voted On was added to the City's website. A link to the Google Translate website was prominently placed in the upper corner of the page to allow easy translation of the Notice into the four required languages: Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog and Vietnamese.
· An Election Campaign Sign webpage was created, to provide candidates and members of the public with information on the rules governing temporary political campaign signs.
Fiscal Impacts
The cost of the November 4, 2014 election of a Mayor, three City Councilmembers and two ballot measures, is estimated to be $83,500.
Budget Authority
$110,000 in the FY 2014-15 General Fund Account 010-11-031-5890 was budgeted for the 2014 election.
ATTACHMENT
Attachment to Related Resolution
Certificate of Election Results and Official Canvass by the Alameda County Registrar of Voters for the following races:
· Mayor
· Member, City Council, District 1
· Member, City Council, District 3
· Member, City Council, District 5
· Measure HH
· Measure II
PREPARED BY: Marian Handa, City Clerk, City Manager's Office