Memorandum 14-047 Amendment to Election Recount Procedure

Memorandum 14-047

TO:                      MAYOR WYTHE AND CITY COUNCIL

FROM:                JO JOHNSON, MMC, CITY CLERK

DATE:                 MARCH 18, 2014

SUBJECT:         AMENDMENT TO ELECTION RECOUNT PROCEDURE

Following the October 2013 election a defeated candidate requested a recount of the votes. The process for the recount last year was vague in that it followed the Alaska Statutes for State elections. Homer City Code Chapter 4.45 Election Recount simply states:

4.45.010 Election recount.

A recount of an election may be called and, if called, shall be conducted in substantially the same manner as provided for State elections in the Alaska Statutes, including the requirement of a deposit. The City Clerk shall oversee the recount.

This resulted in an inordinate amount of confusion and attorney assistance for a straight-forward procedure that can be outlined within the City’s code.

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt Ordinance 14-15 to define the City’s election recount procedure.