Ordinance 18-21 Amending the Candidacy Filing Deadline & Election Judges to Include Youth Vote Ambassador Participants

CITY OF HOMER
HOMER, ALASKA

City Clerk

ORDINANCE 18-21

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF HOMER, ALASKA, AMENDING HOMER CITY CODE 4.10.010(A) “DECLARATION OF CANDIDACY – TIME” AND HOMER CITY CODE 4.20.010 “ELECTION BOARD” TO ALLOW STUDENTS AT LEAST 16 YEARS OF AGE AND QUALIFIED THROUGH THE YOUTH VOTE AMBASSADOR PROGRAM OUTLINED IN ALASKA STATUTES 15.10.108 TO SERVE AS ELECTION JUDGES IN CITY ELECTIONS.          

WHEREAS, Ordinance 16-01(A)(S) amended the time of the candidacy filing deadline to 12:00p.m. (noon) in an effort to be consistent with the Kenai Peninsula Borough (“Borough”) filing period and the deadline for the election pamphlet prepared and distributed by the Borough Clerk’s Office; and

WHEREAS, The Borough’s candidacy filing deadline is 4:30 p.m., as outlined in KPB 4.30.020(D) and over the years the deadline for the election pamphlet has varied from noon to 4:30 p.m.; and

WHEREAS, Alaska Statute 15.10.108 outlines the requirements for the Youth Vote Ambassador Program that allows students ages 16 and up to serve as election workers; and

WHEREAS, Involving local youth in the election process can engage them in the public and political process that is so important for our local elections as well as Borough, State, and Federal elections and encourage participation in voting for a lifetime.

NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY OF HOMER ORDAINS:

Section 1.  Homer City Code 4.10.010 entitled “Declaration of Candidacy” is hereby amended to read:

a. Time. A person declares candidacy for an elective City office by filing a declaration of candidacy with the City Clerk on or after August 1st and not later than 12:00 4:30 p.m. on August 15th; provided, that if August 15th is a Saturday or Sunday, a declaration of candidacy may be filed no later than 12:00 4:30 p.m. on the following Monday.

b. Filing. A declaration of candidacy may be filed with the City Clerk by electronic transmission; provided, that the original signed and notarized declaration is delivered to the City Clerk no later than the close of the filing period. If the City Clerk has not received the original signed and notarized declaration before the close of the filing period, the candidate’s name shall not appear on the ballot.

c. Notice. At least one week preceding the candidate filing period, the City Clerk shall publish a notice announcing that candidacy declarations are available, naming offices and the terms that are open on the next regular election day. The notice shall include:

1. Candidate qualifications.

2. Time for filing declarations.

3. Where to file declarations.

d. Declaration. The City Clerk shall provide a form for declaration purposes which will include candidate’s name, residence address, mailing address and telephone number; a statement of City residence, voter qualifications and the name of the office and the date of the election to which he declares himself a candidate; the term of office; and a statement of acceptance of the office if elected and an acknowledgment of compliance with the State of Alaska Campaign Disclosure Law. The declaration will be signed and dated by the candidate and sealed by a notary. The candidate’s name shall be printed as specified on the declaration for candidacy (see ballot form in HCC 4.15.010 for prohibitions).

Section 2. Homer City Code Chapter 4.20.010 Election Board is hereby amended to read:

a. The City Clerk, subject to approval by the City Council, shall appoint at least three judges for each City precinct. The Clerk shall designate one judge as chairperson who shall be primarily responsible for administering the election in that precinct. When a City election corresponds with an election conducted by the Kenai Peninsula Borough and/or State election the City Clerk may appoint the same judges.  Students who are at least 16 years of age and are qualified through the Alaska Division of Elections Youth Vote Ambassador Program may serve as election judges in City elections.

b. The City Clerk shall be the Election Supervisor. The City Clerk may appoint judges and other election officials as needed to conduct an orderly election and to relieve the election judges of undue hardship. If any appointed election board member is unable or refuses to serve on election day, the Clerk shall appoint a replacement for that member.

c. Each election board member serving at a precinct polling place must be a qualified resident voter in the precinct for which the board member is appointed; provided, however, that if no qualified resident voter is available and willing to serve, a voter from another precinct may be appointed.

d. Each election board member, before assuming the duties of the office, must subscribe to the oath required of all public officers by the Constitution of the State of Alaska in the manner prescribed by the City Clerk.

e. Any election board judge may administer to a voter any oath that is necessary in the administration of an election.

f. A candidate, a member of a candidate’s immediate family, or a resident of a candidate’s household shall not serve as an election board member for the election in which the candidate is running.

Section 3.  This Ordinance shall take effect upon its adoption by the Homer City Council.

Section 4. This Ordinance is of a permanent and general character and shall be included in the City Code.

                ENACTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF HOMER, ALASKA, this ___ day of _______, 2018. 

                                                                                                          CITY OF HOMER

                                                                                                                BRYAN ZAK, MAYOR

ATTEST:

__________________________________

MELISSA JACOBSEN, MMC, CITY CLERK

YES:
NO:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:

First Reading:
Public Hearing:
Second Reading:
Effective Date: 

Reviewed and Approved as to form and content:

__________________________                                           _________________________

Katie Koester, City Manager                                                   Holly Wells, City Attorney

Date: _______________                                                           Date: _______________