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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 12c - Resolutions relating to the November 5, 2024 General Municipal ElectionResolutions relating to the November 5, 2024 General Municipal Election June 4, 2024 Page 1 of 4 DATE: June 4, 2024 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Dominic Lazzaretto, City Manager By: Linda Rodriguez, City Clerk SUBJECT: RESOLUTIONS RELATING TO THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2024 RESOLUTION NO. 7566 CALLING FOR A GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2024, FOR THE ELECTION OF MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL IN ELECTORAL DISTRICTS 1 AND 4 AS REQUIRED BY THE LAWS GOVERNING CHARTER CITIES CEQA: Not a Project Recommendation: Adopt RESOLUTION NO. 7567 REQUESTING THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES TO CONSOLIDATE A GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2024, WITH THE STATEWIDE GENERAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON THE SAME DATE PURSUANT TO SECTION 10403 OF THE CALIFORNIA ELECTIONS CODE CEQA: Not a Project Recommendation: Adopt RESOLUTION NO. 7568 ADOPTING REGULATIONS FOR CANDIDATES FOR ELECTIVE OFFICE PERTAINING TO CANDIDATE STATEMENTS SUBMITTED TO THE VOTERS AT A GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2024 CEQA: Not a Project Recommendation: Adopt SUMMARY Pursuant to the provisions of the City Charter and Ordinance No. 2352, the City of Arcadia will hold a General Municipal Election on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, for the election of two Members of the City Council in Electoral Districts 1 and 4. In order to commence the election process for the purpose of electing municipal officials, the California Elections Resolutions relating to the November 5, 2024 General Municipal Election June 4, 2024 Page 2 of 4 Code requires the City Council adopt certain resolutions. Therefore, it is recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution Nos. 7566, 7567, and 7568 calling for the election, consolidating the election with the statewide general election, and adopting regulations for candidate statements. BACKGROUND City Council elections were historically administered locally by the City Clerk’s Office; however, in 2022, Arcadia’s City Council elections were transitioned from being held in April to November in even numbered years in response to Senate Bill 415 and policies encouraging greater voter turnout. Due to this change in State law and the number of cities transitioning to the same election date and consolidating with the County, the private firms that used to assist with local elections have shut down. Therefore, it is almost necessary to consolidate the City’s municipal elections with the County’s efforts. The consolidation also provides significant savings and reduces City staff efforts. In 2012, the City transitioned to all-mail ballot elections because they are more convenient for the voters, less expensive to facilitate, and tend to increase voter turnout. While the County elections will not be an all-mail ballot, voting by mail is possible along with a variety of other voting methods (in person, drop off locations, early voting, etc.). Pursuant to Arcadia Municipal Code Section 1704 (Ordinance No. 2350, adopted on October 17, 2017, and amended by Ordinance No. 2386, adopted on April 11, 2022), members of the City Council shall be elected by-district, in five (5) single-member districts. For the 2024 General Municipal Election, Council Members from Electoral Districts 1 and 4 will be elected. DISCUSSION The attached resolutions for City Council adoption pertain to the election of municipal officials and regulations for candidate statements. The terms for Council Members from Districts 1 and 4 would extend from the date of election results certification through November 2028. Upon the adoption of the proposed resolutions, the nomination period for this election would begin on Monday, July 15, 2024, and close Friday, August 9, 2024. Candidates will be required to provide a deposit for costs associated with printing a candidate statement (200 words or less) in the Official Sample Ballot Booklet/Voter Guide, should they choose to provide one. To request and receive any candidate instructions and informational paperwork during the nomination period (known as “pulling papers”), candidates must make an appointment with the City Clerk’s Office. More information can be found by visiting the City’s website at ArcadiaCA.gov/elections. Resolutions relating to the November 5, 2024 General Municipal Election June 4, 2024 Page 3 of 4 New this year, the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s office (“RRCC’s) implemented an Online Candidate Statement Program for local jurisdictions, aimed at expanding voter access while providing candidates with a lower cost option to reach voters. In 2022, the RRCC’s office launched an Online Candidate Statement pilot program that allowed candidates running for County level offices the option to have their candidate statements published online. If County candidates opted to have their candidate statements published online, it was at a lower fixed cost and was not printed in the Official Sample Ballot Booklet. In 2024, the pilot became a permanent offering that was expanded to include cities, school districts, and other local jurisdictions that were on the ballot for the March 2024 election cycle. For a fixed fee of $279.60, online candidate statements are published on the RRCC’s website and excluded from the Official Sample Ballot Booklet/Voter Guide. For cities that still undertake at-large elections or have much larger populations, the lower fixed cost for candidate statements is a more economical alternative. For cities like Arcadia that have district-based elections, the cost difference is de minimis for candidates. To date, the Cities of Alhambra, Claremont, and Rancho Palos Verdes have authorized this option for the November election. Resolution No. 7568 provides the option for candidates to have their Candidate Statement published on the RRCC’s website in lieu of printing their statement in the Voter Guide. It is recommended that the City Council support the addition of this language to the Resolution, to provide more flexibility for City Council candidates. It is recommended that the November 5, 2024, General Municipal Election in Electoral Districts 1 and 4, be consolidated with the Statewide General Election to be held on the same date, and that within the City, the precincts, polling places, voting centers, and election officers of the two elections be the same. It is also recommended that the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk canvass the returns of the General Municipal Election, and that the election be held in all respects as if there were only one election. ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS The proposed action does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), and it can be seen with certainty that it will have no impact on the environment. FISCAL IMPACT The estimated cost from the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk is $75,000 for the two offices (Members of the Council for Electoral Districts 1 and 4), which has been included in the proposed Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget. Resolutions relating to the November 5, 2024 General Municipal Election June 4, 2024 Page 4 of 4 RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council determine that this action does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”); and direct staff to request the Board of Supervisors of the County of Los Angeles to consolidate a General Municipal election to be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, with the Statewide General election to be held on the same date pursuant to Section 10403 of the California Elections Code; and adopt the following Resolutions relating to the conduction of a General Municipal Election in City Council Electoral Districts 1 and 4: a.Adopt Resolution No. 7566 calling for a General Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, for the election of members of the City Council in Electoral Districts 1 and 4 as required by the laws governing Charter cities; and b.Adopt Resolution No. 7567 requesting the Board of Supervisors of the County of Los Angeles to consolidate a General Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, with the Statewide General Election to be held on the same date pursuant to Section 10403 of the California Elections Code; and c.Adopt Resolution No. 7568 adopting regulations for candidates for elective office pertaining to candidate statements submitted to the voters at a General Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Attachments: Resolution No. 7566 Resolution No. 7567 Resolution No. 7568 RESOLUTION NO. 7566 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA, CALIFORNIA, CALLING FOR A GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2024, FOR THE ELECTION OF MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL IN ELECTORAL DISTRICTS 1 AND 4 AS REQUIRED BY THE LAWS GOVERNING CHARTER CITIES THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA, CALIFORNIA, DOES HEREBY FIND, DE TERMINE AND RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Pursuant to Arcadia Municipal Code Section 1700, a General Municipal Election shall be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, for the election of two (2)Members of the City Council for a full term of four (4) years, in Districts 1 and 4. SECTION 2. The ballots to be used in this General Municipal Election shall be in form and content as required by law. SECTION 3. The City Clerk is authorized, instructed, and directed to coordinate with the County of Los Angeles Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk to procure and furnish any and all official ballots, notices, printed matter and all supplies, equipment and paraphernalia that may be necessary in order to properly and lawfully conduct the election. SECTION 4. The precincts, ballot drop box locations and hours of operations, vote center locations and hours of operations, vote-by-mail procedures and timing, and election officers, and all other persons and procedures for the General Municipal Election shall be the same as those utilized by the County of Los Angeles. SECTION 5. In all particulars not recited in this Resolution, the election shall be held and conducted as provided by law for holding municipal elections. RESOLUTION NO. 7567 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA, CALIFORNIA, REQUESTING THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES TO CONSOLIDATE A GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2024, WITH THE STATEWIDE GENERAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON THE SAME DATE PURSUANT TO SECTION 10403 OF THE CALIFORNIA ELECTIONS CODE WHEREAS, by adoption of Resolution No. 7566 on June 4, 2024, the City Council has called and given notice of a General Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, in Electoral Districts 1 and 4 of the City of Arcadia, County of Los Angeles, for the purpose of electing two (2) Members of the City Council for a full term of four (4) years to represent said Districts at said General Municipal Election; and WHEREAS, it is desirable that the General Municipal Election be consolidated with the Statewide General Election to be held on the same date, and that within the City the precincts, polling places, voting centers and election officers of the two elections be the same, and that the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk canvass the returns of the General Municipal Election, and that the election be held in all respects as if there were only one election. NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA, CALIFORNIA, DOES RESOLVE, DECLARE, DETERMINE AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. That pursuant to the requirements of Section 10403 of the California Elections Code, the Board of Supervisors of the County of Los Angeles is hereby requested to consent and agree to the consolidation of a General Municipal Election with the Statewide General Election on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, for the purpose of the election of two (2) Members of the City Council for a full term of four (4) years. 1 RESOLUTION NO. 7568 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA, CALIFORNIA ADOPTING REGULATIONS FOR CANDIDATES FOR ELECTIVE OFFICE PERTAINING TO CANDIDATE STATEMENTS SUBMITTED TO THE VOTERS AT A GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2024 WHEREAS, Section 13307 of the Elections Code of the State of California provides that the governing body of any local agency shall adopt regulations pertaining to materials prepared by any candidate for a municipal election, including costs of the candidates' statements. NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA, CALIFORNIA, DOES HEREBY FIND, DETERMINE AND RESOLVE AS FOLL OWS: SECTION 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS. Pursuant to Sections 13307 and 13308 of the Elections Code of the State of California, each candidate for elective office to be voted for at the General Municipal Election to be held in the City of Arcadia on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, may prepare a candidate's statement on an appropriate form provided by the Elections Official for inclusion in the voter information guide. The statement may include the name, age, and occupation of the candidate and a brief description of no more than two hundred (200) words of the candidate's education and qualifications expressed by the candidate themself. The statement shall not include party affiliation of the candidate, nor membership or activity in partisan political organizations. In addition, the statement shall be limited to a recitation of the candidate's own personal background and qualifications and shall not in any way make reference to other candidates for that office or to another candidate's qualifications, character, or activities. The statement shall be filed in typewritten format in the office of the City Clerk at the time the candidate's 1 nomination papers are filed. The statement may be withdrawn, but not changed, during the period for filing nomination papers and until 5:00 p.m. of the next working day after the close of the nomination period. SECTION 2. FOREIGN LANGUAGE POLICY. A.Pursuant to the Federal Voting Rights Act and California Elections Code Sections 13307 and 14201, all candidates' statements will be translated into all languages required by the County of Los Angeles. B.The County will mail separate voter information guides and candidates' statements in Armenian, Bengali, Burmese, Cambodian/Khmer, Chinese, Farsi, Gujarati, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Mongolian, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog/Filipino, Telugu, Thai and Vietnamese to only those voters who are on the county voter file as having requested a voter information guide in a particular language. The County will make the voter information guides and candidate statements in the required languages available at all vote centers, on the County's website, and in the Election Official's office. SECTION 3. PAYMENT. A.Translations: 1.The candidate shall be required to pay for the cost of translating the candidates statement into any required foreign language as specified in subsections (A) and/or (B) of Section 2 above pursuant to Federal and/or State law. 2.The candidate shall be required to pay for the cost of translating the candidates statement into any foreign language that is not required as specified in subsections (A) and/or (B) of Section 2 above, pursuant to Federal and/or State law, but is requested as an option by the candidate. 2 B.Printing: 1.The candidate shall be required to pay for the cost of printing the candidates statement in English in the main voter information guide. 2.The candidate shall be required to pay for the cost of printing the candidate's statement in a foreign language required by subsection (A) of Section 2 above, in the main voter information guide. 3.The candidate shall be required to pay for the cost of printing the candidate's statement in a foreign language required in subsection (8) of Section 2 above, in the main voter information guide. The Elections Official shall estimate the total cost of printing, handling, translating, and mailing the candidate's statements filed pursuant to this section, including costs incurred as a result of complying with the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (as amended), and require each candidate filing a statement to pay in advance to the Elections Official their estimated pro rata share as a condition of having their statement included in the voter's pamphlet. The estimate of costs is just an approximation of the actual cost that varies from one election to another and the actual cost may ultimately be significantly more or less than the estimate, depending on the actual number of candidates filing statements. Each candidate shall be required to pay upon receipt of an invoice their prorated share of actual costs should those costs exceed the estimated amount deposited. In the event of overpayment, the Elections Official shall prorate the excess amount among the candidates and refund the excess amount paid within thirty (30) days of the election. 3 SECTION 4. ONLINCE CANDIDATE STATEMENTS Pursuant to Section 13307(c) of the California Elections Code, the governing body of the City of Arcadia authorizes the preparation of candidate statements for nonpartisan elective office for the purpose of electronic distribution. Candidates will prepare statements for electronic distribution pursuant to Section 13307(a) of the Elections Code. A statement prepared pursuant to this subdivision shall be posted on the internet website of the County Elections Official. Pursuant to Section 13307.?(a) of the Elections Code, candidates shall provide payment of the requisite fee to cover the duties and procedures set forth in Sections 13307(b) and (d) of the Elections Code. SECTION 5. MISCELLANEOUS A.That all translations shall be provided by professionally certified translators as set forth in Elections Code 13307(b). B.That candidates' statements shall comply with the formatting and submission guidelines provided by the City Clerk and the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. C.That the City Clerk shall comply with all recommendations and standards set forth by the California Secretary of State regarding occupational designations and other matters relating to elections. SECTION 6. ADDITIONAL MATERIALS. No candidate will be permitted to include additional materials in the sample ballot or voter information guide package. SECTION 7. The Elections Official shall provide each candidate or the candidate's representative a copy of this Resolution at the time nominating petitions are issued. 4 •SECTION 8. All previous resolutions establishing City Council policy on payment for candidates' statements to the extent they are inconsistent herewith are deemed to be of no further force or effect. SECTION 9. This Resolution shall apply only to the election to be held on November 5, 2024, and shall thereafter be deemed to be of no further force or effect. SECTION 10. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution. Passed, approved, and adopted this 4th day of June, 2024. ATTEST: City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: Michael J. Maurer City Attorney Mayor of the City of Arcadia 5