Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, March 20, 2018
Consent
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDERATION OF MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL TO SUPPORT SENATE BILL 25 AND DRAFT A LETTER TO SENATOR PORTANTINO STATING SUCH (CITY COUNCIL)
Body
I. SUMMARY
This item is on the agenda at the request of City Clerk Donesia Gause-Aldana. Senator Portantino introduced Senate Bill (SB) 25, establishing a revised order of the precedence of offices on the ballot requiring that local offices and measures appear first on the ballot and be listed under heading, CITY/LOCAL.
The premise of SB 25 is to change the order of the ballot so that local races appear before state and federal races. This bill attempts to offset voter confusion and down-ballot fatigue. Therefore, City Clerk Gause-Aldana recommends Mayor and City Council write a letter to Senator Portantino supporting SB 25.
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
TAKE the following action:
1. AUTHORIZE City staff to draft a letter to Senator Portantino in support of SB 25.
OR:
Take another action as deemed appropriate.
Body
III. ALTERNATIVES
None
IV. BACKGROUND
In March 2016, City Council voted to change its election date to coincide with the Statewide General Election of even-numbered years. When the City conducted its first consolidated election with the County Registrar/Recorder, the City’s contests were on the back of the ballot. During that election, 66% (37,650) of Carson voters turned in a ballot. However, by the time voters reach the end of the ballot only 57% voted for Mayor and 55% voted for City measures that were on the ballot, as well.
By support SB 25, voters will vote on local contest first, thus reducing the voter fatigue local jurisdictions experience with the existing law.
V. FISCAL IMPACT
None
VI. EXHIBITS
1. California Legislative Information - Senate Bill Pgs. 3-7
Prepared by: Donesia Gause-Aldana, City Clerk