Item 2: Ordinance Revising Elections Code

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before an election and require the opportunity for a ballot title appeal. If a referendum or council- referred measure was filed with the City Recorder five days before the deadline for filing measures with county officials, it would not allow enough time for a ballot title challenge, so the proposed amendments repeal this section. Word Limits for Additional Voters’ Pamphlet Arguments The proposed amendments to EC 2.994(1)(c) limit additional arguments submitted to the voters’ pamphlet (arguments in addition to the committee arguments in favor of or in opposition to a measure and their respective rebuttals) to 325 words, which is the word limit imposed on candidate statements under the requirements of the current code. The proposed revisions attempt to take into account technological advances which, through reduced font size, could allow extremely long arguments to fit within the space limitations contained in current code and negatively impact readability of the argument. The proposed amendments attempt to ensure readability of arguments and citizens’ access to information while allowing interested parties space to make their arguments. Elections – Voting by Mail EC 2.1000 currently regulates the conduct of elections – both polling place elections and elections conducted by mail. State law clearly gives responsibility to conduct elections by mail to county elections officers, not City elections officers. All of the City Recorder’s responsibilities under current section 2.1000 actually belong to county elections officials by virtue of state law. Since all City elections are conducted by mail, and elections conducted by mail are the purview of the county elections officials, staff proposes to amend section 2.1000 to provide only that City elections must be conducted in accordance with state law. COUNCIL OPTIONS The council may: 1. Direct the City Manager to bring the proposed ordinance to the council for action as scheduled on March 10, 2008; or 2. Direct the City Manager to schedule another work session on the proposed amendments to the Elections Code. CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION The City Manager recommends proceeding with council action on the proposed ordinance on March 10, 2008. SUGGESTED MOTION No motion is necessary to implement the City Manager’s recommendation, as the ordinance is already scheduled for action on March 10. ATTACHMENTS A. Draft Ordinance B. Proposed Revisions to Elections Code with Commentary C. Matrix Summarizing Proposed Changes L:\CMO\2008 Council Agendas\M080219\S0802192.doc