City CouncilAugust 30, 2011

SB 100• PASSED BY STATE LEGISLATURE

• SIGNED BY GOVERNOR

• PURPOSE: To Implement Federal MOVE Act

FEDERAL MOVE ACT• MILITARY AND OVERSEAS VOTER

ENHANCEMENT (MOVE) ACT

• FEDERAL LAW – TEXAS MUST COMPLY

• May require us to “MOVE” the even year elections

SB 100OPTIONS FOR CITIES UNDER SB 100

• Continue to hold elections every May, including even numbered years, but Counties do not have to assist or provide equipment

City Conducts ElectionConducting our own Election would be costly• Cost for San Angelo to purchase DRE Voting

equipment for 27 Polling Places:• Estimated at $25K Initial cost for one setup (1 eSlate &

1 dau) and related equipment ~ $800K to $1M• Yearly Maintenance $50,000 for all equipment• Training

• Would need secured storage space• City would pay for all the equipment – no federal funds

available as provided by HAVAOTHER OPTIONS:

Maintain May Election• Partner with ISDs and split the cost• Decrease the number of polling places from 27 to 8

(requires preclearance from Department of Justice) decreasing cost from $27,908 to $7,380

• Staff polls with 6 to 7 people versus 3 to 4• Hire a specialized team for Training Purposes

• 3-4 employees at $9.00/hr @ 56 hours = $1,512-$2,016• 2-4 employees to help as needed at the various levels

at $7.55/hr @ 6-8 weeks = $3,624 - $9,664• Begin a transition plan to go paperless within three

years

Limited Duties of Additional Staff

Due to the security, only core staff will be able to conduct core functions, e.g. programming, predefining equipment, running equipment on election night, voter packages, etc.

NOVEMBER

• Move elections to November beginning in 2012

• Maintain two years terms

• All positions’ terms automatically extended for six months to end in November

NOVEMBERPROS:

• Higher voter turnout• If City goes to November elections, cost split• Voter Convenience • More emphasis on elections• Citizens able to vote in local elections every year

NOVEMBER• Estimated cost varies depending on county election

type, with city included:

CONST. AMENDMENT = $35,000 EACHGOVERNOR’S RACE = $45,000 EACHPRESIDENTIAL = $55,000 EACH

• Cost estimates based on city wide and school district wide elections – if single member districts only, then costs would be based on early voting costs and our portion of precincts in contested SMDs

NOVEMBERCONS:

• IF SAISD cancels election, our cost goes up to $19,500-$36,000 for city-wide election

• Possibility of more undervotes due to straight party voters

• Runoffs in December• Hard to educate with publicity due other races• Timing of other measures

MAYOR:• Change term length to hold elections every other May

and only in odd numbered years

• Options: two year terms or four year terms

MAY – TWO YEARS

• Two year terms - all seven seats up every other May – would require unstaggering and possibly limit the number of term to four years

• Cancel May 2012 election with transition plan as follows:

MAY – 2 Year Terms

• SMD 1 – 1 year holdover 2013-2015• SMD 2 – MAY 2013• SMD 3 – 1 year holdover 2013-2015• SMD 4 – MAY 2013• SMD 5 – 1 year holdover 2013-2015• SMD 6 – MAY 2013• MAYOR – MAY 2013• Police Chief – 1 year holdover 2013-2017

May – 2 Year Terms

FOUR YEAR TERMS

• Four year terms - 4/3 staggered terms and possibly implement term limits of eight years

• Four year terms would require holdovers and one special election

• Cancel the May 2012 election with transition plan as follows:

MAY – FOUR YEARIncluding Special Election to Change Term

• SMD 1 – 1 year holdover 2013-2015 Next Election 2017• SMD 2 – 2013 Next election 2017• SMD 3 – 1 year holdover 2013-2015 Next Election 2017• SMD 4 – 2013 Next election 2017• SMD 5 – 1 year holdover 2013-2015 Next Election 2017• SMD 6 – 2013 Next election 2017• MAYOR – 1 year holdover 2013-2015 Next Election 2017• Police Chief - 1 year holdover 2013-2017

May 4 Year Transition

SB 100CONS – TWO YEAR TERMS:

• All seven Council seats up for election every two years• Entire Council could turn over• No guarantee or no continuity

SB 100PROS OF TWO YEAR TERMS:

• Voters engaged in City wide election every two years

• Only have general election costs every two years

SB 100CONS OF FOUR YEAR TERMS:

• Some may view four years as too long in office; Possibly recommend term limits under Charter to eight years

SB 100PROS OF FOUR YEAR TERMS:

• Allows staggering of terms with the 4/3 split• Cost effective if we split with the ISDs• Only have general election costs every two years

SB 100HOW?

• SB 100 allows Council to change the election date from May to November or odd-number year terms to even-numbered year terms by resolution

• Under the current Charter, City Council authorizes the calling of the elections

• Special Charter Election to change the terms from 2 to 4 years

SB 100• Recommended we be consistent with the ISD • Election Code requires cities to contract with ISDs to

keep local elections on the same ballot and to save both entities monies

• DIRECTION?

OVERVIEW OF OPTIONS• Move to November• Purchase Electronic Voting Equipment and conduct

our own election• Continue with May and partner with ISDs to purchase

additional equipment and hire additional staff• Unstagger terms and hold elections only odd-

numbered years• Keep staggered terms and extend terms from 2 to 4

years