DATE: January 9, 2018
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Brandi L. Orth County Clerk/Registrar of Voters
SUBJECT: Central California Irrigation District Requests to Move from Odd Year to Even Year Elections
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve Central California Irrigation District’s request to move from odd to even-numbered year elections and set the date for the District’s elections to occur on the same day as the Statewide General Election.
REPORT
The District requests to move their election year from odd-numbered to even-numbered years. The Elections Code requires the Board of Supervisors to notify districts and request input from these districts on the requested election date change.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
If the recommended action is not approved, the District would still be required to change their elections from odd-numbered years to even-numbered year elections. Election law has changed regarding odd year district elections. With the passing of Senate Bill (SB) 415, all political subdivisions will be required to adopt a plan by January 1, 2018, to consolidate future elections with a statewide election (even-numbered years). Political subdivisions electing their governing board members in odd-numbered year elections will be required to have elections on statewide election dates by 2022 unless the district meets a voter turnout threshold formula.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The result of this consolidation will increase the overall cost of the Statewide General Election, which will be shared by the districts involved in this election. The approval of this action is expected to result in the District receiving a lower election bill. There are many more entities that go to election in November even-numbered years and share in the cost of the election.
DISCUSSION:
The Special District has filed a Resolution with the County Clerk requesting the consolidation of their district election with the Statewide General Election. The District requests the move from odd-numbered year to even-numbered year elections in accordance with Elections Code sections 10404. The Resolution shall become operative upon approval by the Board of Supervisors pursuant to Elections Code sections 10404 (e). This code section states that “the Board of Supervisors… shall approve the resolution unless it finds that the ballot style, voting equipment, or computer capacity is such that additional elections or materials cannot be handled”. Prior to approval of the Resolution submitted by the Special District, Election Code section 10404 (c) requires the Board of Supervisors to notify all districts of the receipt of the resolution to consolidate and shall request input from each district on the effect of the consolidation. All districts were notified by letter on December 8, 2017, of the Special District’s consolidation request with instructions to provide their comments to the Clerk to the Board by 9:00 am December 15, 2017. At this time, no districts have commented. Comments received by the Clerk to the Board after the submission of this agenda item will be presented to the Board of Supervisors on or before January 9, 2018.
The boundaries of Central California Irrigation District also include Merced and Stanislaus Counties with Merced County being the principal county. The District is made up of five divisions. Division # 5 is shared between Fresno and Merced Counties. Election Code 10404 (h) requires that a District located in more than one county must request the move from odd election year to even election year from each county. If any County does not approve their request, the District cannot move their election in any county. It is our understanding that Merced County and Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors will meet on December 19, 2017, to decide on the district’s request.
The addition of more races to the even year General election ballot will increase the overall cost of the election. However, all entities going to election pay their pro-rata share of the election costs, thereby providing offsetting revenue to the net County cost of the election. The Special District’s Resolution states that the District will reimburse the County for all costs incurred by the County Clerk to conduct the election for Division # 5, Board Member.
Within 30 days after your Board’s approval, all registered voters in the Districts will be notified of this approval. Notification expenses will be paid by the Districts, as authorized in the Resolutions.
OTHER REVIEWING AGENCIES:
Central California Irrigation District has reviewed and concurred with this item.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Central California Irrigation District Resolution # 17-16
CAO ANALYST:
Ronald Alexander