REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Robin Estanislau, CMC, City Clerk
PREPARED BY: Robin Estanislau, CMC, City Clerk
Subject:
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Approve and authorize execution of License Agreements with the County of Orange to install, operate and maintain official and secure Ballot Drop Boxes at the Huntington Beach Civic Center, 2000 Main Street, and the Main Street Branch Library, 525 Main Street, in Huntington Beach
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Statement of Issue:
California Senate Bill 450, aka the California Voter’s Choice Act passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor in 2016 authorizes counties to conduct all-mailed ballot elections if the jurisdiction can meet certain criteria. The Orange County Registrar of Voters (ROV) is in the process of transitioning to this new model of voting which will begin with the Presidential Primary Election in March 2020, and is seeking approval for placement of official Ballot Drop Boxes at two identified locations on City-owned property.
Financial Impact: Not applicable.
Recommended Action:
recommendation
A) Approve and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a “License Agreement” with the County of Orange for installation, operation and maintenance of a Ballot Drop Box as identified in Exhibits A and B (License Area description and location) at the Huntington Civic Center, 2000 Main Street, Huntington Beach; and,
B) Approve and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a “License Agreement” with the County of Orange for installation, operation and maintenance of a Ballot Drop Box as identified in Exhibits A and B (License Area description and location) at the Main Street Branch Library, 525 Main Street, Huntington Beach.
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Alternative Action(s): Deny the request.
Analysis:
The California Voter’s Choice Act passed in 2016 allows counties to conduct all-mailed ballot elections to provide greater flexibility and convenience for voters - elections will no longer be a one-day event. In February 2019, the County Board of Supervisors voted to enact the Voter’s Choice Act. Starting in 2020, all voters in Orange County will receive a vote-by-mail ballot and can choose to: 1) return their ballot by mail (postage-free) through the United States Postal Service; 2) drop their ballot in an official and secure Ballot Drop Box; or, deliver their ballot to any four or eleven-day Vote Center within the County.
To implement the new elections model, the ROV conducted a comprehensive community outreach effort, worked to secure locations suitable to serve as four or eleven-day Vote Centers, and identified areas permissible to install, operate and maintain official and secure Ballot Drop Boxes. Orange County Registrar of Voters Neal Kelley and staff have been working closely with local government agencies to assess potential sites for the aforementioned voting options. Site selection considerations included:
• Vote center and ballot drop box location proximity to public transportation
• Vote center and ballot drop box location proximity to communities with historically low vote by mail usage
• Vote center and ballot drop box location proximity to population centers
• Vote center and ballot drop box location proximity to language minority communities
• Vote center and ballot drop box location proximity to voters with disabilities
• Vote center and ballot drop box location proximity to communities with low rates of household vehicle ownership
• Vote center and ballot drop box location proximity to low-income communities
• Vote center and ballot drop box location proximity to communities of eligible voters who are not registered to vote and may need access to same day voter registration
• Vote center and ballot drop box location proximity to geographically isolated populations, including Native American reservations
• Access to accessible and free parking at vote centers and ballot drop box locations
• The distance and time a voter must travel by car or public transportation to a vote center and ballot drop box location
• The need for alternate methods for voters with disabilities for whom vote by mail ballots are not accessible to cast a ballot
• Traffic patterns near vote centers and ballot drop box locations
• The need for mobile vote centers in addition to the number of vote centers established pursuant to this section
• Room size and location
• Facility availability for multiple days and extended hours, including weekends
On September 30, 2019, the City received a request to enter into license agreements with the County to install Ballot Drop Boxes in specific “license areas” at the Huntington Beach Civic Center and Main Street Branch Library. Information related specifically to Ballot Drop Box specifications, delivery and installation, maintenance and frequently asked questions is provided as Attachment 1. License agreements approved as to form by the City Attorney’s Office is provided as Attachments 2 and 3, and voter registration data used by the County to determine the required number of four and eleven-day Vote Centers and Ballot Drop Boxes (1 per 15,000 voters) is provided as Attachment 4.
Environmental Status: Not applicable.
Strategic Plan Goal: Non-Applicable - Administrative Item
Attachment(s):
1. Ballot Drop Box Information Packet
2. Ballot Drop Box License Agreement - HB Civic Center
3. Ballot Drop Box “License Agreement” - HB Main Street Branch Library
4. Voter Registration Data