CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: June 03, 2024
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
SUBJECT: ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. ___-24 CALLING FOR THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 5, 2024;
ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. ___-24 REQUESTING CONSOLIDATION OF
THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON
NOVEMBER 5, 2024 WITH THE STATEWIDE GENERAL ELECTION
TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 5, 2024; AND ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. ___-24 ADOPTING REGULATIONS FOR CANDIDATE’S STATEMENTS
FOR THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON
NOVEMBER 5, 2024
SYNOPSIS
The City of Pleasant Hill’s next Municipal Election will be conducted on November 5, 2024.
Pursuant to the California Elections Code, and as required by the Contra Costa County (“the County”) Elections Office, one or more resolutions are 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 200 words of the candidate’s education and qualifications expressed by the candidate. 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.
For the past four municipal elections, each candidate paid a $200 deposit at the time of filing nomination papers if they chose to have a Candidate’s Statement printed in the Voter Information Guide.1 After the City received an invoice from Contra Costa County (“the County”) for the cost to 1 The fourth election referenced, the 2020 Municipal Election, was canceled due to the only candidates being the incumbents.
print the statements, the City sent an invoice to each candidate for the balance of his or her pro rata share, which included the cost to translate and print the mandated Spanish and Chinese versions.
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.
Analysis
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 200-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 5, 2024 General Election is based on the number of registered voters.
The City’s proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2024/2025 – 2025/2026 Biennial Budget includes an allocation at the top of the current estimated cost range, $50,000, from the General Fund for FY 2024/2025.
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 resolutions regarding the conduct of the Municipal Election to be held on November 5, 2024; request consolidation with the General Election to be conducted on the same day; limit the Candidate’s Statements to 200 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 in lieu of collecting the entire amount.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Proposed Resolutions: 1) Proposed Resolution Calling the General Municipal Election to be Held on November 5, 2024
2) Proposed Resolution Requesting Consolidation of the General Municipal Election to be Held on November 5, 2024, with the Statewide General Election to be Held on November 5, 2024 3) Proposed Resolution Adopting Regulations for Candidate’s Statements for the General Municipal Election to be Held on November 5, 2024
Prepared by: Lyone Conner, City Clerk
Approved by: Ethan Bindernagel, City Manager