COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Assessor – County Clerk – Recorder

Registration – Elections Division

DATE:

March 11, 2005

BOARD MEETING DATE:

March 29, 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 TOWN OF ATHERTON IN CONJUNCTION WITH A SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2005

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a Resolution:

AUTHORIZING THE CHIEF ELECTIONS OFFICER TO RENDER SPECIFIED ELECTION SERVICES FOR THE TOWN OF ATHERTON IN CONJUNCTION WITH A SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 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 city, it’s residents, proponents, opponents, and the Elections Division must participate and collaborate in order for a robust public debate with a diversity of ideas to manifest itself in a fair and impartial election.

Performance Measure(s):

Measure

FY 2004-05
Projected

Percent of Voters that vote 6/7/05

34.20%

Number of registered voters in the City of Atherton

5312

The mean turnout percentage for the last four local special elections is 32.57%. A 5% increase over that turnout number is an optimistic goal due to the relatively low profile of the election as measured by less media coverage, the absence, to date, of organized campaign committees, and the fact that the ordinance is a continuation of an existing tax and not a “new” tax.

The number of registered voters dropped by 25 between November 2004 and February 22, 2005. In a jurisdiction with comparatively few voters, and a high percentage of registration among eligible voters, it is unlikely that a significant increase will occur before the close of registration on May 23, 2005. A gain of 20% of the voters lost 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 Town of Atherton requesting the Chief Elections Officer to perform specified election services in conjunction with a Special Election to be held on Tuesday, June 7, 2005.

This request for a special election is in accordance with the requirements of Elections Code Section 9222 and 10002.

The Town of Atherton and the San Mateo County Elections Department will enter into a Service Agreement outlining the services, terms, and reimbursement requirements for conduct of the election.

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 Town of Atherton will reimburse the County for the cost of the election.