Memorandum 16-003 Amendments to Election Procedure

Memorandum ID: 
16-003
Memorandum Status: 
Backup

Details

Memorandum 16-003

TO:                       MAYOR WYTHE AND HOMER CITY COUNCIL

FROM:                  JO JOHNSON, CITY CLERK

DATE:                   JANUARY 4, 2016

SUBJECT:           ORDINANCE 16-01 AMENDMENTS TO ELECTION PROCEDURES.

The purpose of Ordinance 16-01 is to clarify election procedures so that the process runs smoothly and is cost effective. The following amendments are made:

 

2.08.030(a)(b) – A council member or the mayor will remain in office until a successor qualifies. This will leave the Council and Mayor seated until a successor is sworn into office.

 

2.08.030(c) – Removes the need for a special meeting (and a third meeting in October) for incoming council members and mayor to be sworn in. Mayor and Councilmembers will be sworn in at the first meeting in October following certification of election. The agenda will be amended to move this business to the front of the regular meeting.

 

4.10.010(a) – Defines the deadline for declaring candidacy if August 15th should fall on a weekend and moves the filing deadline to 4:30 p.m.

 

4.10.010(b) – Allows a candidate to file declaration of candidacy by electronic transmission, but still requires the original signed and notarized declaration to be filed with the City Clerk before the filing period closes.

 

4.35.020 – Replaces verbiage in HCC 4.35.010(e) and (f). This defines the percentage of votes required to be elected, and includes percentages of vote required depending on the number of candidates.

 

4.35.030 – Replaces verbiage in HCC 4.35.010(f) relating to the procedure for a tie vote.

 

4.35.040 – Replaces verbiage in HCC 4.35.010(f) that the election results will be certified at the next regular council meeting.

 

4.40.010 – Defines procedure for conducting a runoff election to remove the ambiguity of which candidates participate in a runoff and which council member retains their seat until the runoff is held.

 

 

RECOMMENDATION: Introduce Ordinance 16-01 and adopt the amendments to election procedures.

 

Fiscal Note: N/A