CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: June 06, 2022
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
SUBJECT: ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. ___-22 REGARDING THE CONDUCT OF THE MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD NOVEMBER 8, 2022
SYNOPSIS
The City of Pleasant Hill’s next Municipal Election will be conducted on November 8, 2022.
Pursuant to the California Elections Code, and as required by the Contra Costa County (“the County”) Elections Office, a resolution is necessary to establish certain guidelines and to authorize the County to provide various services relating to the election.
DISCUSSION
Background
The California Elections Code Section 13307 authorizes the City Council to set regulations regarding Candidate’s Statements that are printed in the Voter Information Pamphlet. The statements may include the name, age, and occupation of the candidate and a brief description of no more than 250 words of the candidate’s education and qualifications expressed by the candidate himself or herself. The proposed resolution would establish the word count, specify that the candidates will bear the cost to print Candidate’s Statements, and announce the dates for filing of nomination papers.
The City Council authorized a word count for Candidate’s Statements of 250 words for the past four municipal elections.1 Historically, each candidate paid a $200.00 deposit at the time of filing nomination papers if he or she chose to have a Candidate’s Statement printed in the Voter Information Pamphlet. After the City received an invoice from Contra Costa County (“the County”) for the cost to print the statements, the City sent an invoice to each candidate for the balance of his or her pro rata share.
The County also requires each City to confirm that tie votes will be determined by lot.
Otherwise, the Council must adopt the provisions of Elections Code 15651(b), which requires a special runoff election to be held in the event of a tie vote.
1 The fourth election referenced, the 2020 Municipal Election, was canceled due to the only candidates being the incumbents.
Analysis
Due to the redistricting process in other cities and unincorporated areas of the County for the June 7, 2022 election, County elections staff cannot provide the cost for Candidate’s Statements nor the actual election cost until after the cities’ resolutions calling for the election are submitted to the Elections Office and the State. The cost of the 2020 Candidate’s Statements for Pleasant Hill candidates (if the election had not been canceled) would have been $517.80 based on a 250 word statement. This included the cost to translate and print the mandated Spanish and Chinese versions. The Candidate’s Statement cost is estimated to increase 15 to 20 percent for the November 8th election, partially due to the substantial rise in paper costs, for an estimated cost between $595.47 and $621.36. If the Council chooses to increase the authorized word count to a number between 251 and 400 words, the Candidate’s Statement cost will double. Although the City Council has historically authorized a $200 deposit at the time of filing the Candidate’s Statement, best practice (and the practice of most other local cities) is to collect the entire cost at the time of filing. The County will provide the Candidate’s Statement cost before the nomination period begins; candidates will be informed of the cost when they pull nomination papers from the City Clerk.
Staff recommends the Council authorize a 250 word Candidate’s Statement and the collection of the entire Candidate’s Statement cost from the candidate at the time of filing. Due to the cost and expertise required to conduct a special runoff election, most local cities use the lot method to resolve tie votes, which is the method that staff is recommending.
FISCAL IMPACT
The cost for the November 8, 2022 General Election is estimated to be between $46,816 and $70,224, based on the number of registered voters as of the date the staff report was published in the agenda packet. Due to timing of redistricting in other cities in the County, County elections staff cannot provide the election cost per voter until early July. The City’s proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2022/2023 – 2023/2024 Biennial Budget includes an allocation at the top of the current estimated cost range, $70,224, from the General Fund for FY 2022/2023.
If the City Council adopts the proposed resolution, there is no additional fiscal impact to the City for Candidate’s Statements.
If the City Council adopts the provisions of Election Code 15651(b), requiring a special runoff election in the case of a tie, there will be an additional unbudgeted cost to be determined for each special election.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made through posting of the City Council agenda on the City’s official notice bulletin board, at the Pleasant Hill Senior Center and at the Pleasant Hill Police Department. The agenda and staff report are posted on the City’s web page.
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the proposed resolution regarding the conduct of the Municipal Election to be held on November 8, 2022 to: request consolidation with the General Election to be conducted on the same day; limit the Candidate’s Statements to 250 words; authorize the collection of the Candidate’s Statement fee from the candidates upon filing; and direct that tie votes shall be determined by lot.
ALTERNATIVES TO RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. Increase the Candidate’s Statement word count to an amount between 251 and 400 words at an increased (doubled) cost to the candidates.
2. Choose a Candidate’s Statement deposit amount.
3. Adopt the provisions of Election Code Section 15651(b) to resolve a tie vote by the conduct of a special runoff election.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Proposed Resolution
Prepared by: Danielle K. Habr, City Clerk
Approved by: June Catalano, City Manager