23. Move date of general municipal electionOFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
CUPERTINO
CITY HALL
10300 TORRE AVE- CUPERTINO, CA 95014
TELEPHONE: (408) 1 1 77 -3220 • FAX: (408) 777 -3366
SUMMARY
Agenda Item No
SUBJECT
Meeting Date: March 16, 2010
Authorize the City Manager and City Attorney to prepare an ordinance for City Council's
consideration to move the date of the City's general municipal election and consolidate it with
the statewide general election commencing in November 2012.
BACKGROUND
Many jurisdictions consolidate their municipal general elections with the statewide general
elections held on first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of even numbered years.
Each local jurisdiction's costs of holding its elections are considerably lower if elections are _
consolidated with the statewide general elections than if held on odd numbered years. Further,
by consolidating local elections with the statewide general election, there is greater voter turnout
in the local elections.
Many voters that may not normally participate in local elections held in odd numbered years do
participate in the statewide general elections. For example, in the 2008 statewide general
election, 86% of Cupertino registered voters participated, as compared to 42% in the November
2009 election. While 2008 was a presidential election year, which typically has a higher voter
turnout, there is a readily apparent difference between voter turn-out in the consolidated elections
held in odd numbered years as compared to the elections consolidated with the statewide general
election in even numbered years. In the 2006 statewide general election 63% of the voters
participated, as compared to 39% in the November 2007 election. In 2004, there was a 71%
voter turnout among all Santa Clara County voters (The City of Cupertino did not place anything
on the 2004 general election ballot and therefore there are no statistics available for Cupertino
resident participation in the 2004 general --lection). Furthermore, when elections are
consolidated with the statewide general elections, voters do not have to keep track of several
different election dates, which also makes the election process more open to the public.
23 -1
The City of Cupertino's general municipal elections are currently being held in November of odd
numbered years and coincide with Cupertino Union School District elections. Fremont Union
High School District elections are already held on even numbered years. Subsequently, if the
elementary school district does not change their election to even years, their costs will likely rise.
However, if the general municipal election is instead consolidated with the statewide general
elections held on first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of even numbered years,
there will likely be a greater voter turnout in the City's municipal election. The democratic
process will be more inclusive because of the increased voter participation.
Further, by consolidating with the statewide general election, the City's expenses of holding
elections are expected to be reduced. Because the next election will be held in November 2012
instead of November 2011, the City will also defer incurring such expenses for a year. Other
cities in the County, including Gilroy and Los Altos, have already changed their election dates
for cost saving purposes.
Election Code Section 1303(b)(1) authorizes the City Council to enact an ordinance requiring the
general municipal elections to be held on the same day as the statewide general elections,
provided the ordinance is approved by the County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors. Pursuant
to Election Code Section 10403.5(b), such an ordinance may not increase any term of office by
more than 12 months. "12 months" means the period between the day upon which a term of
office commenced and the first Tuesday after the second Monday in the 12th month after that
day, inclusive. Therefore, the moving of the November 2011 general municipal election to
November 2012 and thereafter will not extend by more than 12 months the term of any
Councilmember.
Alternatives
1. Direct the City Manager and City Attorney to prepare an ordinance for City Council's
consideration to move the date of the City's general municipal election and consolidate it
with the statewide general election commencing in November 2012.
2. Take no action to move the date of the City's general municipal election.
FISCAL IMPACT
By consolidating the City's general municipal elections with the statewide general elections, the
City anticipates that the cost of holding the election will be reduced by a minimum of
approximately $30,000 per election year. Further, by holding the election in 2012 instead of
2011, the election costs will be deferred for one year. However, to make this change, the City
will have to pay a one -time charge of $20,000 to the County registrar.
23 -2
Submitted by:
, &1t:ia
Caiol Atwood
Director of Administrative Services
Carol Kora e
City Attorney
Approved for submission to the City Council:
L) id Knapp
City Manager
23 -3