Westminster City Council
SUBJECT
Title
Notice and Call of the General Municipal Election on November 5, 2024.
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publichearing
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From: Ashton R. Arocho, City Clerk
Requested by: Administration
Prepared by: Ashton R. Arocho, City Clerk
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommendation
A. Adopt a Resolution entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA, CALLING AND GIVING NOTICE OF A GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD IN THE CITY OF WESTMISNTER ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2024, FOR THE ELECTION OF CERTAIN OFFICERS OF THE CITY AS REQUIRED BY THE PROVISIONS OF THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA RELATING TO GENERAL LAW CITIES”; and
B. Adopt a Resolution entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA, REQUESTING THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF ORANGE TO CONSOLIDATE A GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2024 WITH THE STATWIDE GENERAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON THE DATE PURSANT TO SECTION 10403 OF THE ELECTIONS CODE”; and
C. Adopt a Resolution entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WESMINSTER, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING REGULATIONS FOR CANDIDATES FOR ELECTIVE OFFICE PERTAINING TO CANDIDATES STATEMENTS SUBMITTED TO THE VOTERS AT AN ELECTION TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2024.”
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BACKGROUND
In order to meet the requirements of the California Elections Code, City Council must call for the General Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, to elect two district Council Members, as terms for these positions expire in December 2024; and to request the Orange County Board of Supervisors to consolidate the City’s General Municipal Election with the Statewide General Election.
Pursuant to State election laws, the City Council must adopt the following resolutions to initial the election process:
1. The first resolution calls and gives notice of the election and requests the Orange County Registrar of Voters to conduct the election and canvass the results. (Attachment 1)
2. The second resolution requests the Orange County Board of Supervisors to consent to consolidation of the Statewide General Election being held on the same day. (Attachment 2)
3. The third resolution adopts regulations for the candidates’ statements. (Attachment 3)
District Elections
Council Members will be chosen by district (Attachment 5). The election is for candidates in District 2 and District 3, and candidates must reside in their district for at least 30 days at the time nomination papers are pulled. All candidates will be verified by voter registration information on-file with the Registrar.
Nomination Filing Period
The nomination filing period is from July 15 through August 9, 2024. If an eligible incumbent does not file, a five-day extension will permit filing until Wednesday, August 14, 2024 at 5:00 p.m., for that seat only (Elections Code Section 10225).
Candidate Statement Information
Candidate statement information will be provided to each candidate at the time nomination papers are distributed during the nomination period. The exact amount as provided by the Registrar covers printing, handling, mailing, and translating into any foreign language as required by law. Candidates will be given a 200-word candidate statement, and the statement cost is payable in full by the candidate, as provided for in the Resolution (Attachment 3). The cost of a candidate statement varies by district, due to the amount of registered voters per district.
• City Council Member, District 2 - $616.58
• City Council Member, District 3 - $636.47
Special Runoff Elections
On October 19. 2004, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 3873 (Attachment 4) regarding special runoff elections in the event of a tie vote. Unless Resolution No. 3873 is repealed, all elections that result in a tie vote shall be succeeded by a special runoff election.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding is appropriated from the City Clerk Department, General Fund 100 - Elections Program Account No. 12500-43090 (Contractual - Other) as part of the 2024-2025 fiscal year budget. Actual costs are invoiced by the ROV upon conclusion of all election’s services provided.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed as to form.
CONCLUSION
As for the election, the Registrar will administer, manage and oversee the operational portion of the City’s election, including the voting processes, ballot counting and canvass of the votes, which will take place at the Registrar’s office. The City Clerk will continue to serve as the Elections Official, manage the candidates, nomination filing process, Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) filings, creating/publishing official election notices relating to calling an election and nominations, and serve as the liaison between the City and the Registrar.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Proposed Resolution Calling for Holding of a General Municipal Election
2. Proposed Resolution Requesting Consolidation with the County of Orange
3. Proposed Resolution Adopting Regulations for Candidates
4. Resolution No. 3873 - Special Runoff Elections
5. Ordinance No. 2585 - By District Elections
REVIEWED BY
Erin Backs, Finance Director
Christian Bettenhausen, City Attorney
Christine Cordon, City Manager