55B - RESO BY-WARD ELECTION PROPOSAL

Home Browse Search

Proposed Charter Amendment regarding By -Ward Election July 17, 2018 Page 2 The City Council directed staff to bring forth a Charter Amendment regarding ward -based elections. Said matter has been discussed recently by the City Council on February 20, 2018, and March 6, 2018. In summary, the City of Santa Ana currently utilizes an at -large election system, which allows electors from the entire City to elect each of the six (6) Councilmembers and the Mayor; the councilmembers must be nominated by electors in their respective ward. The proposed Charter Amendment to section 400 proposes a Ward -Based Election System in which councilmembers are both nominated and elected by electors in their respective Ward. In addition, a minor revision to section 101.2 is proposed to ensure that ward boundaries are drawn and redrawn to comply with state and federal law, as well as to equalize population. The California Elections Code requires the adoption of the attached resolutions in order to place a ballot measure before the voters at a General Municipal Election and must be submitted to the Registrar of Voters at least 88 days in advance of the election (refer to Exhibit 1). In addition to calling for the election, a resolution may be approved to permit the filing of written arguments in favor of or against such measure by members of the City Council, any individual voter eligible to vote on the measure, a bona fide association of such citizens or any combination thereof, and establishes deadlines for submission of such arguments to the Clerk of the Council. The Elections Code specifies that members of the Council would be given preference and priority, if authorized by the City Council. The subject resolution would give that authorization to any member of the Council desiring to submit an argument. The procedures for filing ballot arguments are detailed in the Elections Code. The Election Code procedures, as well as general guidelines for preparing arguments will be provided in a notice prepared by the Clerk of the Council and posted following final adoption of the resolution calling for the election. Also, whenever a City measure qualifies to be on a ballot, the City Council may direct the City Attorney to prepare an impartial analysis of the measure showing the effect of the measure on the existing law and the operation of the measure (Elections Code §9280). The analysis is printed in the Voter Information Pamphlet preceding the arguments for and against the measure. The City Attorney had previously prepared the Impartial Analysis and it will be submitted for inclusion in the ballot. STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT Approval of this item supports the City's efforts to meet Goal #5 Community Health, Livability, Engagement & Sustainability, Objective #1 (Establish a comprehensive community engagement initiative to expand access to information and create opportunities for stakeholders to play an active role in discussing public policy and setting priorities). 55B-2