REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Adopt a Resolution Calling a General Municipal Election to be Held in the City of Sunnyvale on Tuesday, November 3, 2020 for the Election of Councilmembers from Districts 2, 4 and 6 and for the Office of the 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 3, 2020, for the purpose of filling elective offices for City Councilmember Districts 2, 4 and 6 and Mayor. Pursuant to 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 will be the first election held under the new system, with voters registered in Districts 2, 4 and 6 eligible to vote for a candidate from their respective district and all Sunnyvale voters eligible to vote for Mayor.
The nomination period for the November 3, 2020 election opens Monday, July 13, 2020 and closes at 5 p.m. Friday, August 7, 2020.
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, and 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 the 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. Ordinance No. 3152-19 provides that Districts numbered 2, 4, and 6 along with 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 $3,400 for each candidate for the office of the Mayor, $2,520 for each candidate for District 2, $2,530 for each candidate for District 4 and $2,540 for each candidate for District 6, which includes the cost of ballot printing in five languages. This cost is typically 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 2.28.010. This section allows for the fee to be waived if the candidate submits 250 valid signatures, and is prorated if fewer valid signatures are submitted. However, at its meeting on June 9, 2020, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 998-20 waiving the signature gathering requirement of Municipal Code section §2.28.010 and providing for the City to pay the costs of statements for all candidates for City Council and Mayor for the November 3, 2020 election due to the COVID-19 Emergency.
The estimated cost of conducting the 2020 Municipal Election of Officers by the County of Santa Clara is estimated to be $245,922. Additional costs of the November 2020 election may be incurred by inclusion of one or more ballot measures at an estimated cost of $100,881 per measure. The FY 2020/21 Recommended Budget includes $773,059 for election 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.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall, Sunnyvale Public Library and Department of Public Safety; and by making the agenda and report available at Office of the City Clerk 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 3, 2020 for the Election of Councilmembers to Districts 2, 4, 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: Teri Silva, 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 3, 2020 for the Election of Councilmembers to Districts 2, 4, 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.