June 17, 1997


  CALLING A GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION FOR NOVEMBER 4, 1997 FOR THE ELECTION OF COUNCILMEMBERS FOR SEAT NOS. 1, 2 & 3; AND REQUESTING CONSOLIDATION WITH THE COUNTY REGISTRAR OF VOTERS.

REPORT IN BRIEF

The following report recommends Council adoption of the attached resolution (Attachment 1), Calling the General Municipal Election for the Purpose of Filling Council Seat Nos. 1, 2 & 3 for November 4, 1997; Requesting Consolidation of Election Services of the Registrar of Voters, and Determining to Levy Costs of Candidates' Statements. The General Municipal Election will be consolidated with the following jurisdictions on November 4, 1997: the cities of Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos and Palo Alto; Foothill-DeAnza Community College District, Sunnyvale Elementary School District, Cupertino Union School District, Montebello School District and Palo Alto Unified School District.

The resolution specifies the County's responsibility throughout the filing and election process. An election calendar highlighting dates of interest to candidates and the public is attached to this report as reference (Attachment 2).

DISCUSSION

Section 1400 of the Sunnyvale City Charter requires that the General Municipal Election to fill City elective offices be held in odd-numbered years on the date established for election of elementary school district board members. This date is Tuesday, November 4, 1997. The nomination period for the 1997 General Municipal Election calls for the filing period of July 14, 1997 through August 8, 1997, except that if an eligible incumbent elective officer does not file within the period, the voters shall have until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, August 13, 1997 to nominate candidates other than incumbents.

Council seats to be filled at this General Municipal Election are Seat Nos. 1, 2 and 3. The incumbent for Council Seat No. 1 (Councilmember Noll) has indicated that he will not run for a second term. The nomination period for Council Seat No. 1 will be extended to 5 p.m. Wednesday, August 13, 1997. Council Seat No. 2 (Councilmember Parker) is ineligible to run for re-election; and Council Seat No. 3 (Vice Mayor Roberts) is eligible for re-election (Charter Section 601). The nomination deadline for Seat Nos. 2 & 3 is 5 p.m. Friday, August 8, 1997.

If the consolidation with the County Registrar of Voters is approved, the City's responsibilities would include the receipt and processing of candidate nomination papers and statements; forwarding of candidates' statements to the County for printing, translation and mailing to the voters; forwarding any absentee voter applications and write-in declarations received by the City Clerk's Office to the Registrar of Voters; publication of notices of election, nominees and polling places; publication of persons contributing $100 or more to any candidate's campaign; and distribution and receipt of Fair Political Practices Commission documents.

FISCAL IMPACT

The estimated cost of conducting the 1997 General Municipal Election through the County of Santa Clara is $67,200. The County's pro rated cost per voter is approximately $1.00 per voter. The registration is based on the November 1995 Election. The current number of registered voters in Sunnyvale is 64,779. The cost for conducting the 1997 General Municipal Election is included in the FY1997/98 budget.

PUBLIC CONTACT

Publication of the Council agenda in the San Jose Mercury and posting of the Council agenda.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION

That Council call the election by adopting the resolution.

 

Prepared by:

 

_______________________
Carol Ann Butler
Deputy City Clerk

Approved by:

 

_______________________
Amy Chan
Assistant City Manager

 

___________________________
Thomas F. Lewcock, City Manager

Attachments:.

1. Resolution
2. Election Calendar

 

 

CITY OF SUNNVALE

GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION

NOVEMBER 4, 1997

DATE ACTION
*Tuesday, June 17 Adoption of Resolution Calling General Municipal Election for the Purpose of Filling Council Seat Nos. 1, 2 & 3.
Monday, July 14 Nomination Period for Council Candidates Open.
*June 30-July 14 City Clerk to Publish NOTICE OF ELECTION One Time Between These Dates in The Sun, Indicating Offices to be Filled and the Hours the Polls Will Open and Close and the Effect of Only One, or No, Nominee for a Vacant Office.
Tuesday, July 29 Last Day for Council to Adopt Resolution Calling a Special Election to Consolidate with General Municipal Election. (To Meet Legal Publication)
Thursday, July 31 Deadline for Filing Semi-Annual Campaign Statement (Contributions or Expenditures Between January 1, 1996 - June 30, 1996)
Friday, August 8 Close of Filing Period for Nomination Papers or Withdrawal (Office of the City Clerk by 5 p.m.) If incumbent did not file declaration of candidacy, filing period extended 5 days.
Wednesday, August 13 Extension of Nomination Period for Seat Nos. 1 and 2 (if eligible incumbent has not filed nominations papers by August 8, 1997, this is the final date for candidates, other than the incumbent, to file nomination papers; and any candidate who filed for the office to withdraw.
Thursday, August 14 Randomized Alphabet Drawing by the Secretary of State for Determining the Order of Candidates' Names on the Ballot.
*Friday, August 15 List of Candidates to be Filed with County Registrar of Voters (FAX to Registrar)
*Wednesday, August 27 First Publication of Nominees and the Respective Offices for Which They Have Been Nominated (Seat Nos.)
*Wednesday, August 27 Candidate Orientation (Tentative)
*Wednesday, September 3 2nd Publication of Nominees and the Respective Offices for Which They Have Been Nominated (Seat Nos.)
*Thursday, September 25 First Campaign Statement Filing Due Covering Period July 1 through Sept. 20 for Incumbents and Jan. 1 through Sept. 20 for New Candidates.
Thursday, October 2 Registrar of Voters Commences Mailing of Sample Ballots (October 2 - 14)
Monday, October 6 Last Day to Register or Transfer Registration for November 4, 1997 Election.
*Wednesday, October 15 Publish Notice of Polling Places and Election Officers in The Sun.
October 6-28 Absentee Voter Ballot Applications Available (Applications for Absent Voter Ballots May Be Made in Person or Mail From the County Registrar of Voters.)
*Thursday, October 23 2nd Campaign Statement Filing Due Covering Period Sept. 21 through October 18.
Tuesday, October 28 Last Day to Request an Absentee Ballot by Mail. Requests After This Date Must be Made Through County Registrar of Voters for Special Circumstances.
*Saturday, November 1 Publish Contributions to Candidates Campaigns ($100 or more) in San Jose Mercury (City Charter Article XIV, Sec. 1405)
*Tuesday, November 4 "ELECTION DAY"
*Tuesday, November 18 Certification of General Municipal Election, Swearing In Newly-Elected Councilmembers for the Term 1997-2001 and Selection of Mayor & Vice Mayor for the Term 1997-98.
*Monday, February 2, 1998 Final Campaign Statement Filing Due Covering Period October 19 through December 31, 1997.


ADDITIONAL FILING DEADLINES (Proposition 208)

Late Contributions:

Contributions received of $1000 or more must be reported to the City Clerk within 24 hours by FAX, Personal Delivery, Guaranteed Overnight Express or Telegram.

Independent Expenditures:

Expenditures of $1000 or more through November 3, 1997 must be reported to the City Clerk within 24 hours by FAX, Personal Delivery, Guaranteed Overnight Express or Telegram.

*DENOTES DEADLINES MET ON CALENDAR