Administrative
Report
N.3., File # 22-3519 Meeting Date: 1/11/2022
To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: ELEANOR MANZANO, CITY CLERK
TITLE
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION PERTAINING TO A POSSIBLE CHARTER/ORDINANCE
AMENDMENT FOR VOTERS TO APPROVE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF AN ALTERNATIVE
VOTING METHOD TO REPLACE SEPARATE OR DELAYED RUNOFF ELECTIONS (AKA INSTANT
RUNOFF) FOR CITY ELECTIVE OFFICES
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City Council indicated desire to consider implementation of an alternative voting method to replace separate or delayed runoff elections aka Instant Runoff. At Council’s direction, at the City Council meeting of November 9, 2021, staff presented a demonstration pertaining to the Ranked Choice voting method (RCV). Council further directed staff to return with a demonstration and explanation of the STAR - Score-Then-Automatic-Runoff voting method before determining to move forward with an election to amend the City Charter and Municipal Code--Section 18.4. Majority vote: Runoff elections and Municipal Code 2-2.202 Notices of runoff elections. Upon Council’s determination of the desired voting method and election date, staff will return with associated resolutions to call an Election for a ballot measure to revise the City Charter and Municipal Code, and budget modifications due to increased estimated cost from the Los Angeles County Registrar/Recorder.
BACKGROUND
At the Regular Meeting of the City Council of November 9, 2021, staff presented a demonstration pertaining to the RCV method. The City Council directed staff to return with a demonstration and explanation of the STAR (Score-Then-Automatic Runoff) voting method, including its reliability and ballot tabulation method.
STAR (Score-Then-Automatic Runoff)
How it works: Voters are asked to score candidates within range of zero (“0”) to five (“5”) “stars” on the ballot, such as one would do in a Yelp review; 5 stars being the most/best preferred candidate; zero being least/worst. Those candidates with no score on the ballot, or left blank/not scored, indicates no preference and would receive 0 stars (same as least/worst preferred). In the first round of tabulation, the two highest scoring candidates (or those receiving the highest number of stars) are finalists; in the second round of tabulation (the Automatic Runoff) the finalist candidate preferred by the majority wins. You Tube Video: How Does STAR Voting Work? - YouTube <https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=3-mOeUXAkV0>
N.3., File # 22-3519 Meeting Date: 1/11/2022
· No municipalities in the State of California currently use the STAR voting method · There is no State-certified vendor to tabulate ballots with the STAR voting method. All tabulation for STAR voting would have to be conducted by hand at the time of this writing. · No 50% + 1 Majority Vote
RCV (Ranked Choice Voting)
How it works: Voters rank candidates in order of preference. If a candidate receives more than 50% of first-choice votes in Round 1 counting (first tabulation), that candidate wins. However, if no candidate wins in Round 1, counting goes to “Round 2” (a second tabulation) and the process of eliminating candidates begins. During each round, the last-place candidate is eliminated, and voters who chose the eliminated candidate will have their vote counted for their next choice. When the voter’s highest-ranked candidate is eliminated, the vote is transferred to the next continuing candidate; repeated rounds continue until a majority winner is determined.
In response to Councilmember Obagi in November, if a voter, per contest, selects more than one candidate at a given ranking, their vote becomes an overvote (eliminated from consideration) ONLY IF their ballot gets to that ranking. Selecting the same candidate for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choice is not an overvote because the voter’s ballot stays with their first choice until either their first choice wins or their first choice is eliminated. You Tube Video: NYC Ranked Choice Voting - YouTube <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fiq1xpIE6X8>
· Dominion remains the only California State-certified system currently providing services for 4 California cities’ for RCV elections; 3 to begin in 2022. · The City/County of San Francisco implemented RCV in 2004. · 50% + 1 Majority Vote - The City of Redondo Beach implemented Runoff Elections pursuant to City Charter voter-approved amendment in November 1980; since then, there were 15 contests that had more than 2 candidates who won in the General Election by majority vote, including three current electeds (Mayor Brand, Councilmember Loewenstein, and City Clerk Manzano).
CITY CLERK ANALYSIS
RCV STAR
State (Secretary of State) Certified Vendor for Ballot Tabulation YES NO Hand Tabulation Requirement NO YES
Implemented/In Use in California Cities YES NO
Retains 50% + 1 Majority Vote YES NO
California Elections Code Compliant YES NO
Voter Outreach/Education Experience YES SOME
Numerous Resources YES SOME
Election Options to Add Measure to Implement Alternative Voting Methods June 7, 2022 (Special Election; 1-3 Measures Only) to implement alternate voting method in March 2023. Election for June 2022 must be called by the City Council by March 11, 2022. Increase cost
N.3., File # 22-3519 Meeting Date: 1/11/2022
$78K per LACRRCC cost estimator.
November 8, 2022 (Special Election; 1-3 Measures Only) Election for November 2022 must be called by the City Council by August 10, 2022. Increase cost $39K per LACRRCC cost estimator. It is important to note that this option is not feasible to implement the alternate voting method chosen for the March 2023 General Municipal Election because it is likely the election results may not be available until latter part of December, and selection/award of election ballot design, and ballot tabulation equipment vendors to prepare for the March 2023 General Municipal Election would be made in October or first meeting of November 2022.
March 7, 2023 Redondo Beach General Municipal Election to add a measure to implement alternative voting method in March 2025. Scheduled elective offices up for election are Councilmember Districts 3 and 5, City Clerk, City Treasurer; 2 members of RBUSD Board, and ballot measure(s). The 2023 General Municipal Election for any measures will be called by the City Council on December 6, 2022. Election cost estimate: $300K.
Currently, the City’s runoff elections cost per councilmanic districts is between $30-$50K; and, for Citywide elected offices, the cost is $80-$100K.
FISCAL IMPACT
FY 2021-22 Budgeted: $144,000
Additional $78,000 for 6/22 Election; or,
Additional $39,000 for 11/22 Election would be allocated at mid-year.
If approved by voters, estimated implementation cost for alternative voting: $515,000
ATTACHMENTS
City Charter Sec. 18.4 Majority vote: Runoff elections
Municipal Code Section 2-2.202 Notices of runoff elections Admin Report of November 9, 2021
PowerPoint presentation of November 9, 2021
Minutes of City Council minutes of City Council Meeting of November 9, 2021 (excerpt)