City of Sacramento
City Council - 2PM Report
915 I Street Sacramento, CA 95814
www.cityofsacramento.org
File ID: 2024-01078 5/28/2024 Discussion Item 15.
November 5, 2024 Municipal Election - Call for Impartial Analysis, Selection of Argument Authors, and Setting Regulations for Ballot Arguments for One Measure: Sacramento Public Library Combined Parcel Tax Measure
File ID: 2024-01078
Location: Citywide
Recommendation: Adopt a 1) Resolution directing the preparation of an impartial analysis for the Sacramento Public Library Combined Parcel Tax Measure, for inclusion in the November 5, 2024 Municipal Election Official Ballot; 2) Resolution authorizing members of the City Council to author arguments related to the Sacramento Public Library Combined Parcel Tax Measure, that will be presented to the voters in the November 5, 2024 Municipal Election Voter Information Guide; 3) Resolution setting regulations for ballot arguments that will be presented to the voters in the November 5, 2024 Municipal Election Voter Information Guide.
Contact: Sydney Christoffersen, Administrative Analyst, (916) 808-5754, [email protected], Mindy Cuppy, MMC, City Clerk, (916) 808-5442, [email protected]; Office of the City Clerk
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Resolution Directing the Preparation of an Impartial Analysis of One Measure 3-Resolution Authorizing City Councilmembers to Author Arguments for One Measure 4-Resolution Approving Regulations for Ballot Arguments Additional Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: On May 21, 2024, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2024-0013, the Sacramento Public Library Combined Parcel Tax Measure, for voter approval on the November 5, 2024 ballot. On May 28, 2024, the City Council adopted a resolution calling for the holding of a municipal election on November 5, 2024, for the purpose of voting on the Sacramento Public Library Combined Parcel Tax Measure. In accordance with the Sacramento City Charter Section 152, regular City elections are to be consolidated with statewide elections. In accordance with California Elections Code section 9222, the council must adopt a resolution to place a measure on the ballot.
File ID: 2024-01078 5/28/2024 Discussion Item 15.
As provided in the California Elections Code section 9280, for any measure approved for placement on the ballot by the City Council, the City Council may direct the City Clerk to transmit a copy of the measure to the City Attorney for preparation of an impartial analysis of the measure. The analysis is for the purpose of showing the effects of the measure on existing law and the operation of the measure. The analysis shall be printed in the official Voter Information Guide preceding the arguments and shall not exceed 500 words. The impartial analysis is due in the Office of the City Clerk no later than June 7, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. An impartial analysis will provide both the City of Sacramento and the voters of the city with impartial information regarding the measure.
To secure its position in the selection of ballot arguments for the Sacramento Public Library Combined Parcel Tax Measure, in the event the City Clerk receives more than one argument in support or opposition of the measure, the City Council may select who will author and file the ballot argument(s) on the City Council’s behalf. This action will ensure that the City Council’s argument(s) have priority selection for printing in the official Voter Information Guide pursuant to the selection criteria in California Elections Code section 9287. If the City Council, or authorized member(s), do not submit an argument for a City Council measure, any individual voter who is eligible to vote on the measure, or bona fide association of citizens, or any combination of voters and associations, may submit an argument in support of or opposition to any measure.
Up to five authors’ names may be printed with the argument. If the City Council, as a body, chooses to submit an argument, at least one of the Councilmembers should be designated as an author.
If more than one argument is received for a given position, the City Clerk shall follow the selection criteria outlined in the Sacramento City Code section 1.16.070, which provides for the following author priority: (a) The City Council, or members authorized by the council; (b) charter officer or officer of department director; (c) individual voters who are eligible to vote on the measure; or (d) a bona fide association of citizens, or combination of voters and associations.
Prior to an election, the City shall adopt a resolution that establishes regulations for the preparation of ballot arguments. The primary arguments are due in the Office of the City Clerk no later than 4:30 p.m. on June 7, 2024. Both supporting and opposing arguments must be received in order for a rebuttal argument to be submitted. If arguments, both supporting and opposing the measure, are appropriately received, each side will be given the opportunity to provide a written rebuttal. The rebuttal arguments are due in the Office of the City Clerk no later than 4:30 p.m. on June 17, 2024.
Policy Considerations: The actions outlined in this report are in accordance with the Sacramento City Code, Sacramento City Charter, and the California Elections Code.
Economic Impacts: None.
Environmental Considerations: None.
File ID: 2024-01078 5/28/2024 Discussion Item 15.
Sustainability: None.
Commission/Committee Action: Not applicable.
Rationale for Recommendation: The recommendations are consistent with standard practice, the Sacramento City Code, and the California Elections Code.
Financial Considerations: Not applicable.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): None.
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-XXXX
Adopted by the Sacramento City Council
May 28, 2024
Directing the City Attorney to Prepare an Impartial Analysis of the Sacramento Public Library Combined Parcel Tax Measure, Approved by the City Council to be Submitted to the Voters at the Municipal Election to be Held on November 5, 2024
BACKGROUND
A. On May 21, 2024, the City Council adopted Ordinance 2024-0013, known as the Sacramento Public Library Combined Parcel Tax Measure, which ordinance is subject to approval by the voters.
B. On May 28, 2024, the City Council adopted Resolution 2024-XXXX approving for placement on the November 5, 2024 ballot a question pertaining to the Sacramento Public Library Combined Parcel Tax Measure.
C. The City of Sacramento desires to have an impartial analysis of the measure.
BASED ON THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE BACKGROUND, THE CITY COUNCIL RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1.
The City Council hereby directs the City Attorney to prepare an impartial analysis of the measure pertaining to the Sacramento Public Library Combined Parcel Tax Measure, showing the measure’s effect on existing law and its operation. The impartial analysis is not to exceed 500 words, and the City Attorney shall file it with the City Clerk no later than Friday, June 7, 2024, at 4:30 p.m.
SECTION 2.
The City Clerk is hereby directed to cause the impartial analysis to be printed in the official sample ballot for the November 5, 2024 Municipal Election.
SECTION 3.
The City Clerk shall certify the passage and adoption of this resolution and enter it into the book of original resolutions.
SECTION 4.
That the City Clerk is hereby directed to file a certified copy of this resolution with the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors and the County Office of Sacramento Voter Registration and Elections.
SECTION 5.
That the City Clerk shall certify the passage and adoption of this resolution and enter it into the book of original resolutions.
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-XXXX
Adopted by the Sacramento City Council
May 28, 2024
Authorizing the City Council or Members of the City Council to Submit Written Argument(s) for the Sacramento Public Library Combined Parcel Tax Measure, Approved by the City Council to be Submitted to the Voters at the Municipal Election to be Held on November 5, 2024
BACKGROUND
A. On May 21, 2024, the City Council adopted Ordinance 2024-0013, known as the Sacramento Public Library Combined Parcel Tax Measure, which ordinance is subject to approval by the voters.
B. On May 28, 2024, the City Council adopted Resolution 2024-XXXX approving for placement on the November 5, 2024 ballot a question pertaining to the Sacramento Public Library Combined Parcel Tax Measure.
C. The City Council desires to submit argument(s) for the measure.
BASED ON THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE BACKGROUND, THE CITY COUNCIL RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1.
The City Council hereby authorizes the following members, on behalf of the Council, to file a written argument for/support the question pertaining to the Sacramento Public Library Combined Parcel Tax Measure:
Name(s) _____________________________
SECTION 2.
The City Council hereby authorizes the following members, on behalf of the Council, to file a written argument against/opposing the question pertaining to the Sacramento Public Library Combined Parcel Tax Measure:
Name(s) ______________________________
SECTION 3.
The arguments shall be prepared in accordance with the California Elections Code and the resolution pertaining to the regulations of ballot arguments (Resolution 2024-XXXX).
SECTION 4.
The primary arguments are due in the Office of the City Clerk no later than 4:30 p.m. on June 7, 2024. If arguments, both in support and opposition, are appropriately received, each side will be given the opportunity to provide a written rebuttal. The rebuttal arguments are due in the Office of the City Clerk no later than 4:30 p.m. on June 17, 2024.
SECTION 5.
The City Council hereby directs the City Clerk to certify the passage and adoption of this resolution and enter it into the book of origin.
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-XXXX
Adopted by the Sacramento City Council
May 28, 2024
Approving Regulations Pertaining to Ballot Arguments that will be Presented to the Voters in the November 5, 2024 Municipal Election Voter Guide for the Sacramento Public Library Combined Parcel Tax Measure
BACKGROUND
A. On May 21, 2024, the City Council adopted Ordinance 2024-0013, known as the Sacramento Public Library Combined Parcel Tax Measure, which ordinance is subject to approval by the voters.
B. On May 28, 2024, the City Council adopted Resolution 2024-XXXX approving for placement on the November 5, 2024 ballot a question pertaining to the Sacramento Public Library Combined Parcel Tax Measure.
BASED ON THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE BACKGROUND, THE CITY COUNCIL RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1.
GENERAL PROVISIONS. Pursuant to Sacramento City Code section 1.16.070, the City Council, or a councilmember(s) authorized by the Council, charter officer, department director, or an individual voter who is eligible to vote on the measure, or bona fide association of citizens, or a combination of voters and associations, may file a written argument for or against any city measure.
SECTION 2.
FOREIGN LANGUAGE POLICY . Pursuant to the Federal Voting Rights Act, measures shall be translated into all languages required by the County of Sacramento. The County Office of Sacramento Voter Registration and Elections (ROV) is required to translate ballots into Spanish and Chinese.
The ROV shall print and mail official sample ballots containing measures to all voters in English, Spanish, and Chinese. The ROV shall make the official sample ballots in the required languages available at all voting center locations and in the County Office of Sacramento Voter Registration and Elections.
SECTION 3.
MISCELLANEOUS. All translations shall be provided by a professionally certified translator procured by the County Office of Sacramento Voter Registration and Elections. Authors may not translate their own arguments.
Primary arguments and rebuttals shall be typewritten in block paragraph style on the City’s official Argument Form provided by the Office of the City Clerk. Text shall be of uniform size and darkness, and with uniform spacing. Therefore, authors may not use underlining; ALL CAPS; italics; bold print; dashes (--); bullets (•); stars (★) or other forms of emphasis; multiple punctuation (e.g. “………….” Or “---------” or “!!!!!!!!!!!”); emojis or emoticons. All paragraphs will be left justified.
There is no maximum number of paragraphs for the written arguments.
Arguments containing endorsements shall be accompanied by a written authorization letter(s) from the person(s) and/or organization(s) offering the endorsement at the time the argument is submitted. Letters must be signed and dated. Arguments containing the name of a person other than the author shall be accompanied by an original letter from the named person granting permission to use their name in this manner. Letters must be signed and dated. Arguments containing the name of any organization must be accompanied by an original letter from the named organization signed and dated by an officer authorized to do so by the organization.
Initial arguments shall not exceed 300 words in length. Rebuttal arguments, if applicable, shall not exceed 250 words in length.
The standard word count as provided in the Elections Code shall be used. All proper nouns, including geographical names, shall be considered as one word; for example, “City of Sacramento” shall be counted as one word. Regularly hyphenated words appearing in any generally available standard reference dictionary published in the United States within 10 years preceding the election shall be counted as one word.
Each abbreviation for a word, phrase, or expression shall be counted as one word.
Words in statements containing hyphens that are not found in the dictionary as described above shall be counted as individual words. Each part of all other hyphenated words shall be counted as a separate word. Dates, monetary amounts, and whole numbers containing digits shall only be counted as one word. (Ex 01/01/1900, $100.00 or 100). Telephone numbers, email addresses, and internet addresses shall be counted as one word.
SECTION 4.
Primary and rebuttal arguments that are not in compliance with the formatting guidelines shall be reformatted by the City Clerk. Primary and rebuttal arguments that exceed the allotted word count shall be shortened by removing words from the end of the argument text until the word limit is reached.
SECTION 5.
Rebuttals to primary arguments are permissible only when primary arguments in support and opposition of a measure are submitted.