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HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso - CC - 039-2015RESOLUTION NO. 39-2015 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BURLINGAME DIRECTING THE SAN MATEO COUNTY CHIEF ELECTIONS OFFICER TO CONDUCT THE NOVEMBER 3, 2015 ELECTION FOR THE CITY OF BURLINGAME WHOLLY BY MAIL PURSUANT TO THE PILOT PROGRAM AUTHORIZED BY ASSEMBLY BILL 2028 IF ALL OTHER AFFECTED JURSIDCITIONS ALSO REQUEST PARTICIPATION IN THE PILOT PROGRAM AT THAT ELECTION WHEREAS, in 2014 the California Legislature and Governor approved Assembly Bill 2028 (AB 2028), which is a pilot program permitting certain elections in San Mateo County to be conducted wholly by mail if specific conditions are met; and WHEREAS, pursuant to AB 2028, each jurisdiction may determine whether to participate in this pilot program and whether to authorize its election on a given date to be conducted by mail, provided, however, that election in question shall not be conducted by mail pursuant to the pilot program unless all overlapping jurisdictions with elections on that same date so request; and WHEREAS, if the election is authorized by all affected jurisdictions to be conducted pursuant to the AB 2028 pilot program, various actions shall be taken to ensure that voter access and turnout is protected, including but not limited to the following: • At least one ballot dropoff location shall be provided in each city; • A ballot dropoff location shall be open during business hours to receive ballots beginning 28 days prior to the election through 8 p.m. on the night of the election; • At least one polling place shall be provided per city between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on election day for voters to request a ballot who did not receive a ballot or who need a replacement ballot for any reason; • At the request of any city, county, or district, the Chief Elections Officer may provide additional ballot dropoff locations and polling places; • All elections materials, including a prepaid return envelope for the ballot, shall be provided to each voter; • A list of ballot dropolf locations and polling places shall be delivered to each voter; and • Polling places shall be located at an accessible location and equipped with voting machines that are accessible to individuals with disabilities; and WHEREAS, in general, the cost of conducting an election pursuant to the pilot program described above is expected to be significantly less overall than a typical election, and this cost reduction should translate to lower costs to each jurisdiction that participates in the pilot program election compared to the typical election costs borne by each jurisdiction; and WHEREAS, the San Mateo County Chief Elections Officer has reported that in San Mateo County, 59% of registered voters are permanently registered to vote by mail, in the November 2013 Consolidated Municipal, School, and Special District Election over 76% of the ballots were cast by mail, and in the June 2014 Primary Election over 77% of the ballots were cast by mail; and WHEREAS, the Chief Elections Officer has stated an intention to have the November 3, 2015 Consolidated Municipal, School, and Special District Election be the first mail election conducted pursuant to the AB 2028 pilot program in San Mateo County; and WHEREAS, the City of Burlingame has considered the merits of the proposed pilot election program and desires to participate in the pilot program given the protections for voter access and participation in the election and anticipated cost savings to the City of Burlingame. NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY DETERMINED AND ORDERED that the Burlingame City Council authorizes the November 3, 2015 election for the City of Burlingame to be conducted wholly by mailed ballots pursuant to AB 2028 and consolidated with all other elections occurring on that date within San Mateo County. Accordingly, the San Mateo County Chief Elections Officer is requested to conduct the November 3, 2015 election for the City of Burlingame, including any elections for officials of the City of Burlingame and measures relating to the City of Burlingame, as an election conducted wholly by mail pursuant to the AB 2028 pilot program, it being understood that the election shall occur wholly by mail on that date only if all overlapping jurisdictions with elections on that date make the same request. If all overlapping jurisdictions with elections on that date do not so request, the City of Burlingame's election shall occur as normal on that date pursuant to the other provisions of the Elections Code. BE IT ADDITIONALLY RESOLVED that the City Clerk of the City of Burlingame is hereby directed to notify the Secretary of State no later than August 6, 2015, of the City of Burlingame's intent to conduct an all -mailed ballot election as outlined above. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Burlingame shall separately send information regarding the specifics of its November 3, 2015 election to the San Mateo County Chief Elections Officer. Terry Nagel, Mayor I, Mary Ellen Kearney, City Clerk for the City of Burlingame do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council on the 4"' day of May 2015, and was adopted thereafter by the following vote: AYES: Councilmembers: BROWNRIGG, KEIGHRAN, NAGEL, ORTIZ, ROOT NOES: Councilmembers: NONE ABSENT: Councilmembers: NONE Mary Ellen Kearney, City Clerk