REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Adopt a Resolution Calling a General Municipal Election to be Held in the City of Sunnyvale on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 for the Election of Councilmembers from Districts 2, 4 and 6 and the Office of Mayor; Requesting Consolidation with the Statewide General Election and Election Services from the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors; Providing Regulations for Candidates’ Statements
Report
DISCUSSION
The City of Sunnyvale will hold a general municipal election on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, for the purpose of filling elective offices for City Councilmember Districts 2, 4 and 6 and the Office of the Mayor. Pursuant to the State Elections Code, the Council must adopt a resolution calling the election and requesting consolidation with the Statewide General Election and requesting the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters to provide election services.
At the March 3, 2020 election, Sunnyvale voters approved Measure B, changing the Sunnyvale electoral system from seven at-large Councilmembers to a system with six district-based Councilmembers and a Mayor elected at-large. The November 3, 2020 election was the first election held under the new system. Voters registered in Districts 2, 4 and 6 elected a candidate from their respective district and all Sunnyvale voters elected the Mayor. The November 8, 2022 election was the second election held under the new system. It completed the City’s transition to district-based elections, with voters registered in Districts 1, 3 and 5 electing a candidate from their respective district.
The nomination period for the November 5, 2024 election opens Monday, July 15, 2024 and closes at 5 p.m. Friday, August 9, 2024.
In addition to calling the General Municipal Election, the resolution requests that the Santa Clara Board of Supervisors permit the County Registrar of Voters to provide all general election services for the City of Sunnyvale’s general municipal election. The City will be responsible for issuing, receiving and processing candidate nomination papers and statements; forwarding candidates’ statements to the County for translation, printing and mailing to voters; forwarding any vote by mail applications and write-in declarations received by the Office of the City Clerk to the Registrar of Voters; and publishing notices of election and notices of nominees.
EXISTING POLICY
Section 1400 of the Sunnyvale City Charter requires that the General Municipal Election to fill City elective offices be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in even-numbered years. Sunnyvale Municipal Code section 2.28.020 provides that Districts numbered 2, 4, and 6 and the Mayor shall be filled at the General Municipal Election held in 2020, and every fourth year thereafter.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” with the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
The County Registrar of Voters estimates the cost of publishing candidate statements at $2,900 for each District 2 candidate, $2,950 for each District 4 candidate, $2,950 for each District 6 candidate and $3,900 for each Mayoral candidate, which includes the cost of sample ballot printing in five languages. This cost is paid by each candidate who chooses to have their candidate statement published in the voter information pamphlet unless waived pursuant to Sunnyvale Municipal Code section 2.28.030, which provides that the City will pay the full cost if the candidate submits 100 valid signatures for Council District candidates, 250 valid signatures for Mayoral candidates or prorated cost for Council District candidates who submit fewer than 100 valid signatures or fewer than 250 valid signatures for Mayoral candidates.
Santa Clara County estimates that the cost of conducting the 2024 General Municipal Election for City Council Districts 2, 4, and 6 and the office of Mayor will be $179,294. Additional costs for the November 2024 election may be incurred if the Council chooses to place one or more measures on the ballot at an estimated cost of $117,887 per measure. Project 835020 (Sunnyvale Biennial Elections) includes $571,705 for all items placed on the November 2024 ballot, mandated translation and legal noticing costs along with any City covered candidate statement costs. Following the election, the County will determine the actual costs and will bill the City for its pro-rata share. Should costs exceed the approved budget amount, staff will return to Council to request additional funds via a budget modification.
It should be noted that Council is separately considering one or more Charter amendment ballot measures, a ballot measure to fund Civic Center Modernization Project - Phase 2 and a ballot measure to increase to the Real Property Transfer Tax (RPTT) for placement on the November 2024 ballot.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council meeting agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board at City Hall, at the Sunnyvale Public Library and in the Department of Public Safety Lobby. In addition, the agenda and this report are available at the NOVA Workforce Services reception desk located on the first floor of City Hall at 456 W. Olive Avenue (during normal business hours), and on the City's website.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt a Resolution calling a General Municipal Election to be held in the City of Sunnyvale on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 for the Election of Councilmembers to Districts 2, 4 and 6 and the Office of Mayor; requesting consolidation with the Statewide General Election and Election Services from the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors; providing regulations for Candidates’ Statements.
Staff
Prepared by: David Carnahan, City Clerk
Reviewed by: Sarah Johnson-Rios, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Kent Steffens, City Manager
ATTACHMENT
1. Resolution calling a General Municipal Election to be held in the City of Sunnyvale on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 for the election of Councilmembers to Districts 2, 4 and 6 and the Office of Mayor; Requesting consolidation with the Statewide General Election and Election Services from the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors; Providing tegulations for Candidates’ Statements.