DATE: February 20, 2018
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Brandi L. Orth, County Clerk/Registrar of Voters
SUBJECT: Laton Community Services District Request to Move from Odd Year to Even Year Elections
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve Laton Community Services 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 all other districts and request input from these districts on the requested election date change. This Special District is located in District 4.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
If the recommended action is not approved, the District may still be required to change their elections from odd-numbered year to even-numbered year elections. Election law has changed regarding odd year district elections. With the passing of Senate Bill (SB) 415, special districts 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 substantially 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:
Laton Community Services District has filed a Resolution with the County Clerk requesting the consolidation of their district elections with the Statewide General election. This District requests the move from odd-numbered year to even-numbered year elections in accordance with Election Code 10404.
The Resolution filed by the Special District shall become operative upon approval by the Board of Supervisors pursuant to Election Code section 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 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 January 22, 2018, of the District’s consolidation request with instructions to provide their comments to the Clerk to the Board by 9:00 a.m. February 2, 2018. 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 February 20, 2018.
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 their election bill will be reimbursed to the County upon being presented with an invoice.
Within 30 days after your Board’s approval, all registered voters in the District will be notified of this approval. Notification expenses will be paid by the District, as authorized in the Resolution.
OTHER REVIEWING AGENCIES:
Laton Community Services District has reviewed, and concurred with this item
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Laton Community Services District Resolution No. 2017-6
CAO ANALYST:
Ronald Alexander