COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Assessor – County Clerk – Recorder

Registration – Elections Division

 

DATE:

February 4, 2005

BOARD MEETING DATE:

February 15, 2005

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

 

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Warren Slocum, Chief Elections Officer & Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder

   

SUBJECT:

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CHIEF ELECTIONS OFFICER TO RENDER SPECIFIED ELECTION SERVICES FOR THE REDWOOD CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT IN CONJUNCTION WITH A SPECIAL MAIL BALLOT ELECTION TO BE HELD ON
TUESDAY, MAY 3, 2005

 

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a Resolution authorizing the chief elections officer to render specified election services for the redwood city school district in conjunction with a special mail ballot election to be held on tuesday, may 3, 2005:

 

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Providing our diverse population an opportunity to become civically engaged via an elections process that requires collaborative efforts between various levels of governance in San Mateo County

 

Goals 1, 2, and 22: Elections are an integral part of our social and civic fiber. All stakeholders, including the diverse population of the school district, the district’s governing body, proponents, opponents, and the Elections division must participate and collaborate in order for a robust public debate to manifest itself in a fair and impartial election.

 

Performance Measure(s):

Measure

FY 2004-05
Projected

 

Percent of Voters that voted 5/3/05

34.20%

 

Number of registered voters in the Redwood City School District

44,862

 

The mean turnout percentage for the last four local special elections is 32.57%. A 5% increase over that number in the turnout would be an optimistic goal due to the rarity of mail ballot elections held in San Mateo County.

The number of registered voters dropped by 420 between November 2004 and January 27, 2005. It is likely that this number will increase again as we move toward the election. If we gain back 50% of the voters lost, that will put us at the projected number above.

 

BACKGROUND:

According to Elections Code §10002, the governing body of any city or district may request the Board of Supervisors of the County to permit the County Elections Official to render specified services to the city or district relating to the conduct of an election. Subject to approval of the Board of Supervisors, these services shall be performed by the Chief Elections Officer.

 

DISCUSSION:

In accordance with State Law, a resolution was filed by the Redwood City School District requesting the Chief Elections Officer to perform specified election services in conjunction with a Special Mail Ballot Election to be held on Tuesday, May 3, 2005.

This request for a Mail Ballot election is in accordance with the requirements of Elections Code Section 4000(a), (b), and (c)(9).

It is in order for your Honorable Board to authorize the Chief Elections Officer to render specified election services for the above district. We respectfully request that our recommendation be approved.

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

The Redwood City School District will reimburse the County for the cost of election services and supplies.