HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 402-06~~o HONORABLE
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
CITY MANAGER
NOVEMBER 6, 2006
8 City of Palo Alto
Manager,s Report
DEPARTMENT: COMMUNITY SERVICES
CMR:402:06
ADOPTION OF A VOTER CONFIDENCE RESOLUTION
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that Council approve the attached Voter Confidence Resolution prepared by
the City Attorney.
BACKGROUND
At its September 18, 2006 meeting, City Council approved the Voter Confidence Resolution
with certain modifications and directed the City Attorney to prepare a final version of the
resolution. The Voter Confidence Resolution is in support of absentee ballots because voting on
paper is the only way to ensure an accurate recount of votes. The Human Relations Commission
(HRC) is recommending a Voter Confidence Resolution as a way of sending a message to local,
state and federal election officials that we must return to a more participatory democracy.
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATION
At its February 9, 2006 meeting, the HRC Commissioners discussed a draft of the Voter
Confidence Resolution. The HRC agreed to forward the resolution to the City Council for
adoption and have the City Council direct the City Attorney to draft the final version of the
resolution.
RESOURCE IMPACT
There should not be a significant impact on staff time.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Final Version of the Voter Confidence Resolution
"~- [ -’~~ ~ "" ~~~~ ES-PI’~O ZA-HOW~RDPREPARED BY:
.~_t_~_l KATHY ~er, Cubberley Center and Human Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD:
gervices Department
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
~ity Manager
CMR:402:06 Page 1 of 1
****NOT YET APPROVED****
RESOLUTION NO.
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO
ALTO IN SUPPORT OF COMPREHENSIVE ELECTION REFORM
THAT WOULD INSPIRE HIGHER VOTER CONFIDENCE IN
THE ELECTIONS PROCESS
WHEREAS, the Constitution of the United States and the
several states recognize the right of all U.S. citizens to vote
for their elected repmesentatives; and
WHEREAS, California law provides for the conduct of
general and special elections by general law cities, but charter
cities are not bound by these statutes;
WHEREAS, the conduct of the elections process in
California permits the use of both manual and electronic voting
devices;.
WHEREAS, the use of different¯ technologies has produced
mixed results; the tabulation-of-votes process has. been the
subject of critical remarks, both politically and non-
politically motivated;
WHEREAS, the public perception is that political
contributions have adversely affected and influenced the
integrity and consistent administration of the election
processes; as a result, public confidence in the elections
process has apparently weakened;
NOW] THEREFORE, the Council of the city of Palo Alto
does RESOLVE as follows:
SECTION i. The Council of the City of Palo .Alto h@reby
directs the City Clerk to send to the City’s Congressional and
State Legislative representatives a copy of this resolution,
which urges the representatives to undertake efforts and actions
to promote the following .comprehensive election policy reforms,
in order to ensure greater public confidence in the integrity of
the elections process and the proper administration of federal,
state and locals elections:
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****NOT YET APPROVED****
(i) The adoption of a voter-verified paper bal-loting
process and appropriate standards therefor, to be determined by
a non-partisan, nationally-recognized commission;
(2) The advancement of election processes that will be
effectively and transparently governed and administered in the
public interest;
(3) A requirement that officials at the highest
levels of government who are responsible for the oversight of
elections shall be ineligible to actively participate in any
political campaign over which the official has jurisdiction;
(4) The adoption of national standards for the
security of the election process, including the physical and
electronic security of election systems’ ballot tabulation
equipment;
(5) The uniform and inclusive voter registration
standards and accurate and transparent voting roll purges, based
on fair and consistent national standards;
(6) Consistent national standards for the number of
voting machines and poll workers per I00 voters in each
precinct, to ensure reasonable and uniform waiting times for~ all
voters; and
(7) The counting of all votes in public and at local
venues in the presence of citizens and -credentialed members of
the news media.
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****NOT YET APPROVED****
SECTION 2. The council further directs the City Clerk
to observe the above-mentioned principles of election reform
whenever possible, consistent with applicable laws, to .promote
voter confidence in the Palo Alto elections.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
ATTEST:
CityClerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Mayor
APPROVED:
St. Assistant City Attorney City Manager
Director of Community
Services
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