HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 4952
CITY OF PALO ALTO OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
August 4, 2014
The Honorable City Council
Palo Alto, California
Adoption of a Resolution Directing Staff to Utilize the Secretary of
State's Randomized Alphabet Drawing for Council Candidates
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that Council adopt the attached Resolution directing staff to utilize the
Secretary of State’s randomized alphabet drawing for listing of Council candidates in the
November 2014 ballot.
BACKGROUND
On June 16, 2014 the Council gave direction regarding the order of Council candidate names on
the ballot for the upcoming November 2014 election. The consensus of the Council was for
staff to return on August 4, 2014 with a Resolution directing the City Clerk to inform the Santa
Clara County Registrar of Voters that Palo Alto will utilize the Secretary of State’s randomized
alphabet drawing. The City has used the Secretary of State’s drawing to determine the order of
candidate names for the past few elections.
DISCUSSION
On the 82nd day before a statewide election, the Secretary of State conducts a random drawing
of letters of the alphabet pursuant to California Elections Code section 13112. For the
November 4, 2014 election, the random drawing will take place on August 14. This drawing is
used to determine the order in which candidates’ names appear on statewide ballots.
Article 3, Section 3 of the Palo Alto City Charter states: “The order of listing of candidates'
names on the ballot shall be determined by lot.” Consistent with this charter requirement, for
the past few elections, the City has used the Secretary of State’s drawing to provide a
randomized order for the listing of candidates’ names.
RESOURCE IMPACT
Adoption of this resolution will have no impact on City resources
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
Adoption of this resolution is consistent with the City’s recent practice and the City Charter.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This is not a project for the purpose of the California Environmental Quality Act.
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ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: Reolution to Use Secretary of State Draw for Election 2014 (DOC)
Department Head: Donna Grider, City Clerk
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NOT YET APPROVED
1
0160081
Resolution No.
Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Directing Staff to Utilize the
Secretary of State’s Randomized Alphabet Drawing for Council Candidates
R E C I T A L S
A. Article III, Section 3, of the Palo Alto City Charter requires that a general municipal election of
council members be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of each even -numbered
year, that is, November 4, 2014.
B. The City Council on June 2, 2014 approved Resolution No. 9421 calling a general mun icipal election
of five Council Members, requesting the services of the Registrar of Voters, and ordering the consolidation of
the election.
C. Article VII, Section 3, of the Palo Alto City Charter stipulates that the order of listing of candidates’
names on the ballot shall be determined by lot.
D. The Secretary of State on August 14, 2014 will conduct a drawing of letters of the alphabet to
determine the order in which candidates appear on the November 4, 2014 ballot.
E. For the past several years the City Council has followed the ballot order as determined by the
Secretary of State.
The Council of the City of Palo Alto RESOLVES as follows:
SECTION 1. The listing of candidate names on the November 4, 2014 ballot shall be determined by the
Secretary of State’s randomized drawing of letters of the alphabet. The City Clerk shall inform the Santa Clara
County Registrar of Voters that the City of Palo Alto will use the Secretary of State’s drawing.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
ATTEST:
__________________________ _____________________________
City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM: APPROVED:
__________________________ _____________________________
Deputy City Attorney City Manager