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HomeMy WebLinkAbout44-City Clerk . . Clf:+ OF SAN BERNARD~O - REQUEhh- FOR COUNCIL A~~ From: Shauna Clark Subject: Ordinance Amending Section 2.56.001 Subsection A of the Municipal Code Prohibiting the Solicitation of Absentee Ballots Dept: City Clerk Date: May 6, 1987 Synopsis of Previous Council action: A code change prohibiting the solicitation of absentee ballots was presented to the Council in August of 1985 but could not get four votes. As a compromise, the Council adopted a Municipal Code amendment that required that absentee ballot applications be made on a form approved by the City Clerk, and also made the roster of absentee voters a confidential document until the day after an election. Recommended motion: That the first reading of the attached ordinance amending Subsection A of Section 2.56.001 be waived and that said ordinance be laid over for final passage. ~//$"4/~-2.r/ / Signature Contact panon: Shauna Clark Phonal 383-5109 Supporting data attached: Staff report and by City Attorney FUNDING REQUIREMENTS: Amount: ordinance drafted Ward: in 1985 None - will save money City Wide Source: (ACCT. NO.) (ACCT. DESCRIPTION) Finance: Council Notel: .6..nlllnl"lA I torn Nn " L/~ CI~ OF SAN BERNARDQO - REQU.QT FOR COUNCIL AC~ON STAFF REPORT Once again I am asking the Mayor and Common Council to prohibit the solicitation of absentee ballots by third parties. Three police investigations in the last three elections are evidence that the wholesale solicitation of absentee ballots enhances the potential for election abuse and results in a very inefficient use of tax- payers' dollars. Of the 1982 ballots issued in the Sixth Ward only 1172 came back. There are 810 ballots outstanding with no explanation as to why they were not returned. A number of voters reported that their ballot had been picked up by a campaign worker. Every voter receives an application for an absentee ballot with the sample ballot and also has the option of applying by contacting the City Clerk's Office and requesting the materials. In addition, any voter with a disability that makes it difficult to vote at the polls can apply for permanent absentee status that results in the automatic issuance of a ballot. As you can see, there is ample opportunity for anyone to vote absentee without solicitation by campaign workers. 75-0264 o o \ i " I I.'. O. , .(.." " \.'J\':"\' . o 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 ORDINANCE NO. ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO AMENDING SECTION 2.56.001 SUBSECTION A OF THE SAN BERNARDINO MUNICIPA~ CODE TO ADD PARAGRAPH 2 PROHIBITING ANY CAMPAIGN VOLUNTEER OR WORKER TO SOLICIT APPLICATIONS FOR ABSENTEE BALLOTS. THE MAYOR AND COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO DO ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 2.56.001 Subsection A of the San Bernardino Municipal Code is amended by adding Paragraph 2 to read: "2. No election campaign volunteer or worker shall personally solicit, deliver or distribute any application for an absentee ballot to any voter with the intent that such application be submitted to the City Clerk or authorized election official to obtain an absentee ballot to vote in any primary, general, special or recall municipal election. I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing ordinance was duly adopted by the Mayor and Common Council of the City of San 17 Bernardino at a meeting thereof, held 18 on the , 1985, by the day of 19 following vote, to wit: 20 21 Council Members AYES: 22 NAYS: 23 ABSENT: 24 25 26 27 / / / / / 28 / / / / / City Clerk / / / / / / / / / / o o o o 1 The foregoing ordinance is hereby approved this day 2 of , 1985. 3 4 5 Mayor of the City of San Bernardino 6 Approved as to form: 7~~~~ 8 ~City A orney 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 2