HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance No. 20405
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COUNCIL ORDINANCE NUMBER 20405
COUNCIL BILL NUMBER 4966
AN ORDINANCE CONCERNING ELECTIONS' PROCEDURES;
AMENDING SECTIONS 2.960, 2.964, 2.965, 2.966, 2.968, 2.970,
2.971, 2.973, 2.977, 2.979, 2.980, 2.981, 2.993, 2.994, 2.996,
2.997, 2.1000 AND 2.1990 OF THE EUGENE CODE, 1971;
ADDING SECTIONS 2.961 AND 2.975 TO THAT CODE;
AMENDING SECTION 2.976 AND RE-NUMBERING SECTION
2.976 TO SECTION 2.974; AMENDING SECTION 2.990 AND
RE-NUMBERING SECTION 2.990 TO SECTION 2.984;
AMENDING SECTION 2.985 AND RE-NUMBERING SECTION
2.985 TO 2.986; AMENDING SECTION 2.986 AND RE-
NUMBERING SECTION 2.986 TO 2.987; AMENDING SECTION
2.988 AND RE-NUMBERING SECTION 2.988 TO SECTION
2.989; RENUMBERING SECTION 2.984 TO SECTION 2.985,
SECTION 2.987 TO 2.988; AND REPEALING SECTION 2.992
OF THAT CODE.
ADOPTED: March 10,2008
PASSED: 6:0
REJECTED:
OPPOSED:
ABSENT: Solomon, Taylor
EFFECTIVE: ~ 19 I 2iffd
ORDINANCE NO. 20405
AN ORDINANCE CONCERNING ELECTIONS' PROCEDURES;
AMENDING SECTIONS 2.960, 2.964, 2.965, 2.966, 2.968, 2.970, 2.971,
2.973, 2.977, 2.979, 2.980, 2.981, 2.993, 2.994, 2.996, 2.997, 2.1000 AND
2.1990 OF THE EUGENE CODE, 1971; ADDING SECTIONS 2.961 AND
2.975 TO THAT CODE; AMENDING SECTION 2.976 AND RE-
NUMBERING SECTION 2.976 TO SECTION 2.974; AMENDING SECTION
2.990 AND RE-NUMBERING SECTION 2.990 TO SECTION 2.984;
AMENDING SECTION 2.985 AND RE-NUMBERING SECTION 2.985 TO
2.986; AMENDING SECTION 2.986 AND RE-NUMBERING SECTION
2.986 TO 2.987; AMENDING SECTION 2.988 AND RE-NUMBERING
SECTION 2.988 TO SECTION 2.989; RENUMBERING SECTION 2.984 TO
SECTION 2.985, SECTION 2.987 TO 2.988; AND REPEALING SECTION
2.992 OF THAT CODE.
THE CITY OF EUGENE DOES ORDAIN AS FOllOWS:
Section 1. Section 2.960 of the Eugene Code, 1971, is amended to provide:
2.960 Elections - State Law. City elections shall be conducted in accordance with
this code and the Eugene Charter 2002. Insofar as not governed by the city
charter, special ordinances or this code, city elections shall be conducted in
accordance with the state law governing popular elections.
Section 2. Section 2.961 of the Eugene Code, 1971, is added to provide:
2.961 Elections - Definitions. As used in sections 2.960 to 2.1005 of this code,
the following words and phrases mean:
Ballot Title. A ballot title describes a city measure and includes a caption, a
question and a summary of the measure. All ballot titles for city measures
must comply with the requirements of ORS 250.035 or successor statute.
Candidate. An individual whose name is printed or expected to be printed
on the ballot, an individual who campaigns for write-in votes, or an individual
who collects or spends money to secure nomination or election to office at
any time, even if the specific office is not indicated and the candidate's name
does not appear on a ballot.
Certify. With respect to a completed petition means the city recorder's
determination that the completed petition includes all of the information
required by law and at least the number of elector signatures required by
section 2.972 of this code.
Chief petitioner. The elector responsible for the preparation and
organization of an initiative or referendum petition. Not more than three
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electors may be designated as chief petitioners for anyone initiative or
referendum petition.
City attorney. An attorney or law firm appointed by the city manager to
provide legal advice to the manager and council on election matters.
City office. The office of mayor, city councilor or Eugene Water & Electric
Board member.
City official. The mayor, a city councilor or a Eugene Water & Electric
Board Member.
City recorder. The city manager or the manager's designee.
Completed petition. An initiative or referendum petition that includes all of
the information required by law and at least the number of signatures
required by section 2.972 of this code.
Conflicting measures. Measures are conflicting when any part of one
measure cannot operate concurrently with a provision of the other measure
or when one or both measures expressly provide that they are intended to be
the exclusive enactment for that area of legislation.
Election. A general election, primary election, special election or emergency
election.
Elector. A resident of the city qualified to vote under the Oregon
Constitution, Article II, section 2.
Emergency Election. An election held on a date other than those dates
described in ORS 221.230(1) or successor statutes. To call an emergency
election, the city council must find by resolution that an emergency exists that
requires an election sooner than the next available election date under ORS
221.230(1) in order to avoid extraordinary hardship to the community. In
calling an emergency election the city council must comply with the
requirements of ORS 221.230(2)-(4) or successor statutes.
General election. An election held on the first Tuesday after the first
Monday in November of each even numbered year, or as otherwise defined
by the Oregon Legislative Assembly.
Initiative petition. A petition by one or more qualified electors to initiate
proposed legislation to be approved or rejected by the electors at an election.
Legislation. A law of a permanent or general character which creates policy
as opposed to executing policy already in existence, and which is within the
meaning of "legislation" as that term is used in Oregon Constitution, Article
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IV, Section 1 (5).
Measure. A proposed city ordinance, charter revision, charter amendment,
or a proposition, question, or advisory measure placed on the ballot by the
council, including a measure referred on the recommendation of the Eugene
Water & Electric Board. "Measure" also includes municipal legislation,
charter revisions and charter amendments placed on the ballot by initiative or
referendum petition.
Organization. Includes a corporation, association, firm, partnership, joint
stock company, club or other combination of individuals having collective
capacity.
Primary election. An election held on the third Tuesday in May of each
even-numbered year, or as otherwise defined by the Oregon Legislative
Assembly.
Prospective petition. The information, including the text of the proposed
measure, required to be included in a completed petition, except signatures
and other identification of petition signers.
Protected ordinance. An ordinance adopted by initiative in accordance with
the Eugene Charter of 2002, section 32-A. A protected ordinance may be
amended or repealed only by the electors or by unanimous vote of councilors
present and voting at a council meeting. The initiative petition and the ballot
measure for a protected ordinance must state that it is proposed as a
protected ordinance and must explain the limitations on its repeal or
amendment.
Referendum petition. A petition by one or more qualified electors to refer
legislation adopted by the council to the electors for their approval or
rejection at an election.
Special election. An election other than a primary or general election, held
on one of the dates described in ORS 221.230(1) or successor statute (the
second Tuesday in March, the third Tuesday in May, the third Tuesday in
September or the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November).
Section 3. Sections 2.964 and 2.965 of the Eugene Code, 1971, are amended to
provide:
2.964
Elections - Nomination.
(1) A candidate for a city council office representing a particular ward shall
be nominated by the electors residing in that ward.
(2) A candidate for a Eugene Water & Electric Board office representing a
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2.965
pair of wards shall be nominated by the electors residing in those
wards.
(3) A candidate for the office of mayor or an office on the Eugene Water &
Electric Board representing the city at large shall be nominated by
electors who reside in the city.
(4) In a year for filling an office referred to in subsection (1), (2), or (3) of
this section, a nomination of a candidate for the office shall be
conducted in accordance with the state law governing popular elections,
except that the nominating petition shall be submitted to the city
recorder at least 76 days before the first election for filling the office and
it shall be signed by 25 electors who reside in the area to be
represented by the office.
(5) The city recorder or designee shall verify the signatures on a
nominating petition as provided in section 2.979(1) of this code. Any
signature which is not the signature of an elector who resides in the
area to be represented by the office for which the nominating petition
was circulated shall not be counted toward the number of signatures
required by subsection (4) of this section.
Elections - Residencv. A candidate for a city office must be an elector and
must have been a resident of the city for at least one year immediately
preceding the election that results in election to the office. A candidate for
city office must be registered to vote as a resident of the city at the time his
or her nominating p~tition is submitted to the city recorder. A candidate for
city office shall maintain his or her residence within the city and the area he
or she seeks to represent at the time of nomination and throughout his or her
term of office if elected. If a city official or candidate for city office fails to
maintain his or her residence within the city and the area he or she
represents or seeks to represent, he or she shall be removed from office or
be ineligible to serve as a city official. The vacancy thus created shall be
filled in the manner other vacancies in that office are filled. If a city official or
candidate for city office has more than one residence, the requirements of
this section apply to the principal place of residency, which is the residence
where the city official or candidate for city office spends more than 500/0 of
his or her time.
Section 4. Subsections (4), (5), (6) and (7) of Section 2.966 of the Eugene Code,
1971, are amended to provide:
2.966
Elections - Officers.
(4) Except as provided in section 24 of the Eugene Charter, the first voting
for mayor, councilor, or Eugene Water & Electric Board member during
a year shall take place at an election held at the same time as the
statewide primary election that year.
(5) If at the primary election one candidate for a city office receives a
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majority of the votes cast for that office, that candidate shall be the only
one whose name appears on the ballot at the general election that year
as a candidate for that particular office.
(6) If at the primary election no candidate receives a majority of votes cast
for the office, the two candidates receiving the two highest numbers of
votes cast for the office shall be the only candidates whose names
appear on the ballot at the general election that year as candidates for
that particular office.
(7) The candidate who receives a majority of the votes cast for the office at
the general election is elected to that office and is entitled to a
certificate of election thereto.
Section 5. Sections 2.968, 2.970, 2.971, and 2.9773 of the Eugene Code, 1971,
are amended to provide:
2.968
2.970
2.971
Elections - Euaene Water & Electric Board - Composition.
(1) Except as subsection (2) of this section provides to the contrary, each
member elected to the Eugene Water & Electric Board has a term of
office thereon of four years.
(2) The board may fill a vacant office thereon by appointing thereto a
person from the same constituency as the member who last occupied
that office. If an elected member leaves the office vacant less than 14
months after the member's term on the board begins, at the next
primary and general elections after the vacancy occurs, a member shall
be elected to the vacant office from the same constituency as the
member who last occupied that office. The term of office of the person
so elected begins January 1 st of the immediately ensuing year and
continues for two years.
Submissions Durina Business Hours. Prospective and completed
petitions must be submitted to the city recorder in person at the office of the
city recorder during regular business hours.
Elections - Initiative and Referendum, Manner of Initiatina or Referrina
Leaislation.
(1) Any elector may initiate proposed legislation by submitting a completed
initiative petition proposing the legislation to the city recorder.
(2) Any elector may refer council legislation to the electors by submitting a
completed referendum petition to the city recorder prior to the effective
date of the legislation.
(3) The council may order submission of proposed or adopted legislation to
the electors.
(4) An ordinance for which a prospective referendum petition has been
submitted to the city recorder does not take effect during the period of
signature collection and signature verification, and if petitioners collect
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the number of elector signatures required under section 2.972 of this
code, the ordinance shall not take effect except as provided in section
2.987 of this code.
2.973 Elections - Initiative and Referendum, Prospective Petition.
(1) An initiative or referendum petition shall be in the form prescribed by the
city recorder.
(2) When a prospective petition is submitted to the city recorder, the city
recorder shall, as soon as possible, determine whether the prospective
petition is in the proper form, including but not limited to compliance
with the requirements of subsection 2.974(a) of this code, and;
(a) If the prospective petition is not in the proper form, return the
prospective petition to the person submitting it and advise that
person what the defects are;
(b) If the prospective petition is in the proper form:
1. Advise the person submitting the prospective petition of the
number of signatures necessary to place the petition on the
ballot;
2. Advise the person submitting the petition of the deadlines in
subsections (c) and (d) of section 2.974 of this code;
3. Specify the size and kind of paper on which the prospective
petition is to be duplicated;
4. Date and time stamp the prospective petition; and
5. Initial the prospective petition and approve it for circulation.
(3) On the next business day after a prospective petition in the proper form
is submitted to the city recorder, the city recorder shall transmit a copy
of the prospective petition to the city attorney for review and action
under section 2.977 of this code.
(4) The prospective petition shall include a statement signed by the chief
petitioner(s) declaring whether one or more persons will be paid money
or other valuable consideration for obtaining signatures on the initiative
or referendum petition. Once the prospective petition is approved for
circulation, the chief petitioners shall notify the city recorder not later
than the tenth day after any of the chief petitioners first has knowledge
or should have had knowledge that:
(a) Any person is being compensated for obtaining signatures, if the
statement included with the prospective petition declared that no
such person would be compensated.
(b) No person is being compensated for obtaining signatures, if the
statement included with the prospective petition declared that one
or more such persons would be compensated.
Section 6. Section 2.976 of the Eugene Code, 1971, is re-numbered as Section
2.974, and amended as follows:
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2.974
Elections - Initiative and Referendum, Petition Reauirements. No
completed initiative or referendum petition may be submitted to the city
recorder unless:
(a) Prior to its circulation a prospective petition was submitted to the city
recorder. The prospective petition must contain a copy of the
legislation sought to be submitted to the electors and a signed
statement on the face of the petition of the names and addresses of not
more than three chief petitioners. If one or more of the chief petitioners
is an organization, the prospective petition shall disclose the name and
address of the organization, the name and address of each of the
principal officers of the organization and the signature of the chief
officer of the organization;
(b) As circulated, the prospective petition complies with the city recorder's
specifications and the requirements of this code, contains the caption or
ordinance title required by section 2.975 of this code, and contains the
names and addresses of the chief petitioners;
(c) The date of the first signature on the petition is no later than 90 days
after the issuance of the ballot title on the measure; and
(d) The completed petition is submitted to the city recorder for signature
verification no later than 100 days after the date of the first signature on
the petition. A completed referendum petition shall be submitted to the
city recorder by that time or by the effective date of the legislation
sought to be referred, whichever is earlier.
Section 7. Section 2.975 of the Eugene Code, 1971, is added to provide:
2.975 Elections - Form of Petition and Sianature Reauirements.
(1) Signature sheets for an initiative or referendum petition shall be double-
sided.
(2) The front side of each signature sheet shall contain:
(a) The names and residence addresses of all chief petitioners;
(b) Instructions adopted by the Secretary of State for persons
obtaining signatures on the petition; and
(c) If the petition is an initiative petition, the caption of the ballot title
issued pursuant to section 2.977 of this code;
(d) If the petition is a referendum petition, either the caption of the
ballot title issued pursuant to section 2.977 of this code or the title
of the ordinance to be referred.
(3) The reverse side of an initiative or referendum petition shall:
(a) Be used for obtaining signatures;
(b) If the petition is an initiative petition, include the caption of the
ballot title for the initiative measure;
(c) If the petition is a referendum petition, include the number of the
ordinance to be referred and the date it was adopted by the
council.
(d) If one or more persons will be paid for obtaining signatures on the
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petition, contain a notice stating: "Some circulators for this petition
are being paid."
(4) Not more than 20 signatures on each signature sheet of the initiative or
referendum petition shall be counted. The circulator shall certify on
each signature sheet that the circulator:
(a) Witnessed the signing of the signature sheet by each individual
whose signature appears on the signature sheet; and
(b) Believes each individual is an elector registered in the city.
(5) Each person collecting signatures must carry at least one complete and
correct copy of the text of the initiative measure or the ordinance being
referred and must allow any person to review the text upon request.
Section 8. Sections 2.977, 2.979, 2.980, and 2.981, of the Eugene Code, 1971,
are amended to provide:
2.977 Elections - Initiative and Referendum, Preparation of Ballot Title:
Appeal.
(1) Within five business days following the city attorney's receipt of a
prospective petition for an initiative or referendum measure, the city
attorney shall review the prospective petition for legal sufficiency, and, if
appropriate, issue a ballot title.
(a) If the city attorney determines that the prospective petition is
legally insufficient, the city attorney shall inform the city recorder in
writing of the reasons for that determination. The city recorder
shall return the prospective petition to the chief petitioners, along
with a copy of the city attorney's written determination.
(b) If the city attorney determines that the prospective petition is
legally sufficient, the city attorney shall prepare a ballot title and
deliver it to the city recorder. The city recorder shall provide a
copy of the ballot title to the chief petitioners.
(2) Within five business days following the council's decision to submit
legislation to the electors under subsection 2.971 (3) of this code, the
city attorney shall prepare a ballot title and deliver it to the city recorder.
(3) The ballot title of any measure to be initiated or referred shall comply
with the state statutes in effect at the time the ballot title is prepared.
The ballot title shall not resemble, to the extent it creates confusion, any
ballot title previously prepared for a measure to be submitted to the
electors at the same election.
(4) Upon receiving a ballot title for a city measure from the city attorney, the
city recorder shall publish in the next available edition of a newspaper of
general circulation in the city a notice of receipt of the ballot title
including notice that an elector may file a petition for review of the ballot
title not later than the date referred to in subsection (5) of this section.
(5) An elector dissatisfied with the ballot title may, within seven business
days after it is delivered to the city recorder, petition the Lane County
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2.979
2.980
Circuit Court seeking a different ballot title and stating the reasons that
the title prepared by the city attorney is insufficient, not concise or
unfair. The petition shall name the city attorney as respondent. The
court shall review the ballot title and measure to be initiated or referred,
hear arguments, if any, and certify to the city recorder a ballot title for
the measure which meets the requirements of state statutes in effect at
the time the ballot title is prepared.
Elections - Initiative and Referendum, Verification of Sianatures.
Completed Petition.
(1) A completed initiative or referendum petition shall be submitted to the
city recorder for signature verification. The city recorder may not accept
for signature verification any petition sheets that do not comply with the
requirements contained in state statute and this code for signature
sheets. Within 15 days of submission of a completed initiative or
referendum petition for signature verification, the city recorder or the
recorder's designee shall, by reference to the records in the Lane
County Elections office, verify the number and genuineness of the
signatures and the voting qualifications of the signers; and, if electors in
a number sufficient under section 2.972 of this code have signed the
petition, the city recorder shall so certify the petition. If the city recorder
determines that the petition contains an insufficient number of elector
signatures, the petition shall be returned to the chief petitioners.
(2) If the number of elector signatures required under section 2.972 of this
code exceeds 4,500, the city recorder or designee may utilize the
statistical sampling technique established by rule of the Secretary of
State to determine whether a petition contains the required number of
elector signatures. If signatures on an initiative or referendum petition
are verified using this procedure, a petition may not be rejected for the
reason that it contains fewer than the required number of elector
signatures unless two separate sampling processes establish the lack
of requisite signatures. The second sampling must contain a larger
number of signatures than the first sampling.
Elections - Initiative and Referendum, Presentation of Measure to
Council.
(1) No later than 20 days after the city recorder certifies a completed
initiative or referendum petition, the city manager shall present the
petition to the council for consideration. At that time, or thereafter, the
council may:
(a) Adopt an ordinance proposed by an initiative petition;
(b) Repeal an ordinance referred by referendum petition;
(c) Vote to urge adoption or defeat of the initiated or referred
measure;
(d) Order submission of an alternative measure or measures to be
voted upon at the same election as the initiated or referred
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measure.
(2) During the 61 day period prior to an election on an initiative or
referendum measure the council shall refrain from adopting an
ordinance proposed by an initiative petition or repealing an ordinance
referred by a referendum petition.
2.981 Elections - Initiative and Referendum, Votina on Measure.
(1) Initiative.
(a) A charter or charter amendment or revision proposed by initiative
petition, a protected ordinance proposed by initiative petition, and
an ordinance proposed by initiative petition but not enacted in
accordance with section 2.980 of this code, shall be submitted to
the electors.
(b) The time for voting on an initiative measure submitted to the
electors under subsection (1) of this section shall be the first
primary or general election held more than 90 days after the city
recorder's certification of the completed petition under section
2.979 of this code, unless the council calls an earlier special
election on the measure. The special election called by the council
may not be held earlier than 66 days after the city recorder's
certification of the completed petition.
(2) Referendum.
(a) An ordinance referred by petition but not repealed in accordance
with section 2.980 of this code shall be submitted to the electors.
(b) An election on legislation referred to the electors by petition shall
be held on the next available election date as described in ORS
221.230(1) or successor statutes that is not sooner than the 90th
day after the city recorder's certification of the completed
referendum petition under section 2.979 of this code, unless the
council calls an earlier or later special election on the measure.
The special election called by the council may not be held earlier
than 66 days after the city recorder's certification of the completed
petition.
(3) Leqislation Referred bv Council. The time for voting on legislation
referred to the electors by the council shall be the first primary or
general election held more than 90 days after the date that the council
orders the legislation referred under section 2.971 of this code, unless
the council calls an earlier special or emergency election on the
measure. In any event, an election on a council-referred measure may
not be held earlier than 90 days after the date that council orders the
legislation referred.
Section 9. Section 2.990 of the Eugene Code, 1971, is re-numbered as Section
2.984, and amended to provide:
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2.984
Elections - Notice. The city recorder shall give 10 days' notice of an
election by one publication of the notice in a newspaper of general circulation
in the city. The notice need not set forth in full any measure to be submitted
to the electors at the election, but the notice shall state the ballot title of each
measure.
Section 10. Section 2.984 of the Eugene Code, 1971, is re-numbered as Section
2.985 to provide:
2.985
Elections - Initiative and Referendum. Election Returns. The votes on a
measure shall be counted, canvassed and returned as follows:
(a) In case of an election held at a time prescribed by state law, in the
same manner as other votes cast at such an election in the city.
(b) In case of special elections held at other times, in the manner
prescribed by the city manager.
Section 11. Sections 2.985, and 2.986 of the Eugene Code, 1971, are re-
numbered as 2.986, 2.987 respectively, and amended to provide:
2.986
2.987
provide:
Elections - Initiative and Referendum, Proclamation by Mayor.
(1) Upon completion of the canvass of votes on a measure submitted
pursuant to this chapter, the mayor shall issue a proclamation:
(a) Recapitulating the vote on the measure; and
(b) If the majority of votes cast on the measu re were in favor of the
measure, announcing the effective date of the legislation in
accordance with section 2.987 of this code.
(2) The city recorder shall give public notice of the proclamation by release
to the media or by posting a copy thereof at the city hall.
(3) The proclamation shall be retained with the measure in the office of the
city reco rd e r.
Elections - Initiative and Referendum, Effective Date of Measure. A
measure which has been approved by a majority of the electors who voted
on the measure takes effect upon the mayor's proclamation that the measure
has passed, or at a later date, if specified in the measure.
Section 12. Section 2.987 of the Eugene Code, 1971, is re-numbered as 2.988 to
2.988 Elections - Initiative and Referendum. Conflictina Measures. Of
two conflicting measures approved by the electors at the same election, the measure
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receiving the greater number of affirmative votes shall be deemed approved and the
other measure deemed not approved.
Section 13. Section 2.988 of the Eugene Code, 1971, is re-numbered as 2.989
and amended to provide:
2.989 Elections - Initiative and Referendum, Unlawful Acts.
(1) No person other than an elector shall knowingly sign a city initiative or
referendum petition.
(2) No person shall sign a city initiative or referendum petition with a name
not his or her own.
(3) No person shall sign his or her name to a city initiative or referendum
petition with knowledge of previously signing the petition.
(4) No person shall circulate or submit to the city recorder a city initiative or
referendum petition which to his or her knowledge contains a signature
signed in violation of this chapter.
(5) No person shall procure or attempt to procure a signature to a city
initiative or referendum petition by fraud.
(6) No person shall make a statement concerning a city initiative or
referendum petition that the person knows to be false.
(7) No person shall knowingly make a document under this chapter that
contains a false statement.
(8) No city officer shall willfully violate a provision of this chapter.
Section 14. Section 2.992 of the Eugene Code, 1971, is repealed.
Section 15. Sections 2.993,2.994,2.996,2.997 and 2.1000 of the Eugene Code,
1971, are amended to provide:
2.993 Elections - Voters' Pamphlet.
(1) The following definitions apply to sections 2.993 to 2.998:
(a) "Measure" means both city measures and school district
measures.
(b) "City measure" means a proposed city ordinance, charter revision,
charter amendment, or a proposition, question or advisory
measure placed on the ballot by the council, including a measure
referred on the recommendation of the Eugene Water & Electric
Board. "City measure" also includes municipal legislation, charter
revisions and charter amendments placed on the ballot by
initiative or referendum petition.
(c) "School district measure" means a measure placed on the ballot
by the school district.
(d) "School district" means Eugene School District 4J or Bethel
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School District 52.
(e) School district elector means a resident of the school district
qualified to vote under the Oregon Constitution, Article II, section
2.
(2) The city manager shall publish and distribute a local voters' pamphlet
for each election in which a city measure is on the ballot.
(3) The city manager shall include in a voters' pamphlet published pursuant
to subsection (2) of this section statements from candidates in races for
city offices (council, mayor, or Eugene Water & Electric Board member)
if such statements are submitted by the candidates, together with a fee
in the amount of $100.00.
(4) If a candidate for city office wishes to publish a statement in the city
voters' pamphlet for an election at which no city measure is submitted
for a vote, the city manager shall publish a voters pamphlet containing
candidate statements submitted pursuant to subsection (3) of this
section, unless the city council waives the requirement. Candidate
statements to be published pursuant to this subsection shall be
submitted to the city recorder not less than 70 days prior to the date of
the election for which the voters' pamphlet is published. If the city
recorder does not receive a candidate statement by the 70th day prior to
the election, the city manager shall not publish a voters' pamphlet
pursuant to this subsection.
(5) Prior to the inclusion of a statement from a candidate for the Eugene
Water & Electric Board in a voters' pamphlet published pursuant to
subsection 2.993(4), the Eugene Water & Electric Board shall agree to
pay to the city the cost of the Eugene Water & Electric Board's portion,
as determined by the city recorder, for the printing, advertising, mailing
and personnel expenses associated with publishing the voters'
pamphlet and distributing it within the city limits. Nothing in this
subsection shall relieve Eugene Water & Electric Board candidates of
the obligation to pay the fee required by subsection (3) of this section.
(6) A voters' pamphlet published by the city manager pursuant to
subsection (3) of this section shall be distributed as provided in section
2.997 of this code.
(7) Any time a voters' pamphlet is produced under this section, the city
manager shall include in the voters' pamphlet any school district
measure and any candidate statement for a school board position for
which timely notice and payment is received. The contents of a school
district measure shall comply with subsection 2.994(1 )(a) of this code;
the contents of a candidate's statement shall comply with subsection
2.994(2) of this code.
(a) Timelv notice.
1. For notice of a school district measure to be timely, the
school district must submit the text of the measure to the city
recorder not later than the second business day following the
61 st day before the date of the election.
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2.994
2. For notice of a school board candidate's statement to be
timely, the candidate for a school board position must submit
the statement to the city recorder not less than 56 days prior
to the date of the election.
(b) Payment.
1. Prior to the inclusion of a school district measure in the
voters' pamphlet, the school district shall agree to pay to the
city the cost of the school district's portion, as determined by
the city recorder, of the printing, advertising, mailing, and
personnel expenses associated with publishing the voters'
pamphlet and distributing it within the city limits. The school
district shall agree to pay to the city the full cost of the
expenses associated with the distribution of voters'
pamphlets outside the city limits.
2. Candidates for school board positions shall pay to the city a
fee in the amount of $100 at the time they submit their
statements to the city recorder.
(c) Submission of arquments for or aqainst school district measure.
1. Written arguments in favor of or in opposition to a school
district measure may be submitted by following the
procedure described in subsections 2.996(1) and (1 )(b) of
this code, except that one or more school board members
voting in favor of the measure shall be substituted for the city
councilors.
2. Additional arguments in favor of or in opposition to a school
district measure may be submitted by following the
procedure described in subsection 2.996(4) of this code,
except that the required petition signatures shall be those of
school district electors.
Elections - Voters' Pamphlet - Contents.
(1) A voters' pamphlet published under section 2.993 of this code shall
contain for each measure the following items in the following order:
(a) The ballot title and text of the measure to be submitted to the
electors at the election for which the pamphlet is prepared;
(b) One argument in favor of the measure not to exceed 350 words,
followed by a rebuttal to the argument not to exceed 200 words;
and one argument in opposition to the measure not to exceed 350
words, followed by a rebuttal to the argument not to exceed 200
words. Such arguments and rebuttals shall be submitted in the
manner provided in subsection 2.996(1) of this code;
(c) Additional arguments in favor of, or in opposition to, the measure
may be submitted in the manner provided in subsection 2.996(4)
of this code. Each additional argument shall not exceed 325
words and shall not exceed 3-5/8 inches in width by 8 inches in
length.
Ordinance - Page Page 14 of 18
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(2) Following the information contained in subsection (1) of this section, the
voters' pamphlet shall include statements from those candidates for city
offices and school board positions who submit such statements and pay
the required fee. The statements shall not exceed 325 words and may
include a photograph of the candidate. Until such time as the city
manager adopts rules governing the size and/or type of candidate
information, the city shall apply the criteria adopted by the state relating
to candidate information in state voters' pamphlets.
(3) In addition, the voters' pamphlet also may contain other general
information about the election process that may be economically
feasible to publish. This information may include, but is not limited to,
hours of operation and location of sites available for ballot deposit, a
sample ballot, requirements for a citizen to qualify as an elector, when
an elector is required to re-register, how to register to vote, how an
elector may obtain and use an absentee ballot, how and where to
obtain a replacement ballot and other relevant information, pictures,
figures, and data relevant to the election.
(4) The order in which the arguments related to a city measure are printed
in the voters' pamphlet shall be as follows: first, the written argument in
favor of the city measure, as described in subsection 2.996(1); second,
the rebuttal to the argument in favor, as described in subsection
2.966(1); third, the written argument in opposition to the measure, as
described in subsection 2.996(1); fourth, the rebuttal to the argument in
opposition, as described in subsection 2.996(1); fifth, any additional
arguments in favor of the city measure, as described in subsection
2.996(4), in the order in which they are received by the city recorder;
and finally, any additional arguments in opposition to the measure, as
described in subsection 2.996(4), in the order in which they are
received by the city recorder.
(5) If two or more conflicting measures are to be voted on in a particular
election, the voters' pamphlet shall identify those measures and explain
the provisions of section 2.988.
2.996 Voters' Pamphlet - Submission of Arauments For or Aaainst Measure
and Statements from Candidates.
(1) Not less than 56 days prior to the date of the election, the written
arguments authorized by subsection 2.994(1 )(b) of this code in favor of,
and in opposition to a measure shall be submitted to the city recorder.
Any rebuttals to the arguments shall be submitted not less than 46 days
prior to the date of the election. Such arguments and rebuttals shall be
prepared and submitted in the following manner:
(a) Citizen-initiated measures. The written argument in favor of the
city measure, and the rebuttal to the argument in opposition to the
measure, shall be submitted by one or more of the chief
petitioners. The written argument in opposition to the city
measure, and the rebuttal to the argument in support of the
Ordinance - Page Page 15 of 18
20405 (00195064)
measure, shall be submitted by a three-person committee. The
committee shall be chosen by the city recorder by lot, at a time
and place announced to all applicants, from among persons who
file an application for a position on the committee within a time
specified by the city recorder after appropriate notice of
opportunity to apply. An applicant shall certify under penalty of
perjury that he or she is a bona fide opponent to the city measure.
If no one applies for appointment to prepare the argument in
opposition, the voters' pamphlet shall so state.
(b) City council-referred measures. The written argument in favor of
the city measure, and the rebuttal to the argument in opposition to
the measure, shall be submitted by one or more of the city
councilors who voted in favor of the measure; except that in the
case of a city measure referred on the recommendation of
Eugene Water & Electric Board, one or more members of the
Eugene Water & Electric Board voting in favor of the measure
shall be substituted for the city councilors. The written argument
in opposition to the city measure, and the rebuttal to the argument
in support of the measure, shall be submitted by a three-person
committee chosen in the same manner as provided by paragraph
(a) of this subsection.
(c) Citizen-referred measures. The written argument in favor of the
city measure, and the rebuttal to the argument in opposition to the
measure, shall be submitted by one or more of the city councilors
who voted in favor of the ordinance referred. The written
argument in opposition to the city measure, and the rebuttal to the
argument in support of the measure, shall be submitted by one or
more of the chief petitioners of the referendum petition, so long as
the persons who submit the argument and rebuttal first certify
under penalty of perjury that they are bona fide opponents of the
ordinance. If the chief petitioners are not bona fide opponents
(e.g., if they merely favor the opportunity to vote on the issue), the
argument in opposition to the city measure, and the rebuttal to the
argument in support of the measure; shall be submitted by a
three-person committee chosen in the same manner as provided
by paragraph (a) of this subsection.
(2) If one or more members of the committees preparing the arguments or
rebuttals cannot agree on a committee statement, he or she may write
his or her own statement not exceeding 116 words if the statement is
one of argument or 66 words if the statement is one of rebuttal. The
length of the committee argument or rebuttal, if any, shall be reduced by
the same amount.
(3) Statements from candidates for city offices, other than those statements
submitted pursuant to subsection 2.993(4), shall be submitted not less
than 56 days prior to the date of an election.
(4) Not less than 56 days prior to the date of an election, additional
Ordinance - Page Page 16 of 18
20405(00195064)
arguments, authorized by subsection 2.994(1 )(c) of this code, in support
of, or in opposition to a measure ay be submitted, providing that each
additional argument is accompanied by the signatures of 300 electors
supporting the argument or by a fee of $300.
(a) Each person signing a petition shall subscribe to a statement that
the person has read and agrees with the argument.
(b) The city recorder or designee shall verify the signatures on a
petition as provided in subsection 2.979(1) of this code. The city
recorder or designee shall attach to the petition a certificate
stating the number of elector signatures on the petition. A
signature that is not the signature of an elector shall not be
counted by the city recorder for determining compliance with this
subsection.
(5) The city recorder shall reject any argument or statement which
(a) Contains any defamatory language;
(b) Contains any language which may not legally be circulated in the
mails; or
(c) Otherwise does not comply with sections 2.993 to 2.998 of this
code.
(6) The city recorder shall include in the voters' pamphlet on each page
containing a printed candidate statement or arguments on a measure,
the name of the person who submitted the statement or argument, the
name of the organization the person represents, if any, whether the
argument supports or opposes the measure, the statement(s) required
by subsection 2.996 (1 )(a) and (c) of this code, if applicable, and a
disclaimer in substantially the following form: "The printing of this
(argument or statement) does not constitute an endorsement by the
City of Eugene, nor does the City of Eugene warrant the accuracy or
truth of any statement made."
2.997 Voters' Pamphlet - Distribution. No later than the 18th day before the
election at which a city measure is to be voted upon, the city manager or the
manager's designee shall mail a voters' pamphlet to each residence within
the appropriate geographical area(s) and make voters pamphlets available
for public distribution at city hall, the city library, and at other municipal
facilities within the city. The appropriate geographical area means the
following:
(a) For voters' pamphlets containing city measures or statements from
candidates for mayor or Eugene Water & Electric Board at large
member, the city limits of Eugene;
(b) For voters' pamphlets containing school district measures or statements
from candidates for school board positions, the boundaries of the
school district.
(c) For voters' pamphlets containing only statements from candidates for
city councilor Eugene Water & Electric Board positions, the wards
which those candidates would represent if elected.
Ordinance - Page Page 17 of 18
20405 (00195064)
2.1000
Elections - Conduct of Elections. Elections shall be conducted in the
manner provided by state law. Any ballot and any elector casting a ballot
may be challenged in the manner provided by state law.
Section 16. Subsection (1) of Section 2.1990 of the Eugene Code, 1971, is
amended to provide:
2.1990 Penalties - Specific.
(1) Violation of section 2.989 is punishable by a fine not to exceed $500, or
confinement in jail not to exceed 100 days, or both fine and
imprisonment; in addition, the city attorney, upon request of the city
manager, shall institute any necessary civil proceedings to enforce the
provisions of section 2.989 of this Code.
Section 17. The City Recorder, at the request of, or with the concurrence of the
City Attorney, may administratively correct any reference errors contained herein, or in
other provisions of the Eugene Code, 1971, to the provisions added, amended, or
repealed herein.
Passed by the City Council this
10th day of March, 2008.
Approved by the Mayor this
~ day of March, 2008.
\!INt~L/~~'
ity ecorder -
/~/~ ~~
Mayor
Ordinance - Page Page 18 of 18
20405 (00195064)