1 CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Meeting: June 7, 2022
Subject
Consider adopting a resolution calling for a consolidated General Municipal Election on November 8, 2022, to fill three City Council seats.
Recommended Action
Adopt a resolution calling for a consolidated General Municipal Election on November 8, 2022, to fill three City Council seats.
Description
Cupertino elections take place in November of even‐numbered years. This November’s election will fill three at‐large City Council seats for full four‐year terms. Mayor Darcy Paul will be termed out. Vice Mayor Liang Chao and Councilmember Jon Willey are each eligible to run for one additional full term of four years.
The Draft Resolution (Attachment A) calls the Cupertino General Municipal Election and requests that it be consolidated with the Statewide Election under the administration of the County of Santa Clara Registrar of Voters’ Office (ROV) (EC §10403). The ROV administration of the election includes appointment of election officers, designation of
voting precincts, printing and mailing of ballots, operation of voting centers, counting of ballots, canvassing of the vote, and other proceedings required in connection with the election. The deadline to submit the City’s resolution requesting ROV services to govern the election is July 1.
The Draft Resolution also
provides for a maximum allowance of 200 words for the Candidate’s Statement of Qualifications and the candidate’s responsibility of payment for the cost to prepare and print the statement in advance. The Candidate Statements appear in the Sample Ballot and Voter Information Guide and are optional. The estimated cost this year is $2,820. The Elections Code (EC) provides the City Council with the option to increase on the words allowed for candidate statements from a maximum of 200 to 400 words (EC §13307(a)). Staff is not recommending this option given that the word limit has traditionally been 200 words in Cupertino and because an increase would increase the costs to candidates for filing statements at the maximum word count.
The nomination period for the 2022 General Municipal Election runs from Monday, July 18, 2022 through Friday, August 12, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. If an incumbent fails to file a Declaration of Candidacy before 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 12, 2022, the period to nominate candidates other than incumbents is extended to 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 17, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. (Attachment B – 2022 Election Calendar).
Fiscal Impact
The estimated cost of the Cupertino General Municipal Election for three City Council seats is $118,861 (Attachment C – Election Cost Estimate) and is included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022‐2023 proposed budget.
Sustainability Impact
None
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Prepared by: Kirsten Squarcia, City Clerk
Approved for Submission by: Dianne Thompson, Assistant City Manager Attachments:
A ‐ Draft Resolution
B – 2022 Election Calendar
C ‐ Election Cost Estimate