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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - January 16, 1985 (71)RESOLUTICN URGING Following introduction of the matter by City Clerk Reir.�che, RICDIFICATICN TO Council, on motion of Council Deer Pinkerton, Reid second, ABSENTEE Vt7TIlx adopted Resolution No. 85-12 as follows urging the passage of PROCEDURES legislation modifying absentee voting procedures. The City Clerk was directed to forward copies of the subject resolution to the the appropriate legislators. RES. M. 85-12 _ RESOLUrICE NO. 85-12 RESOLUTICN OF THF, LCDI CITY OOUMIL URGING DMIFICATICNI TO ABSF:VI'F-E VCSTINC PROCEMFS IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA W-IEREAS , the City Council of the City of Lodi is concerned with the growing use of absentee ballots, the increased potential for election fraud, and the administrative difficulties created for the State's election officials; and 1vI-iM\S, the City Council of the City of Lodi feels that the need for legislative changes in the area of absentee voting is clear. NUN, TIIEREFUIEE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the Citv of Lodi does hereby support the following modifications to absentee voting procedures and urges the adoption of legislation that would enact these modifications. a) Require absentee ballot applications to be identical and conform to the application prepared by the election office and that no address other than the election office's address appear on the application; b) Make official applications available 90 days prior to an election; c) Keep the list of absentee voters confidential until election day; d) Require that voted ballots be returned to the election official by mail or in person with each jurisdiction having the option of providing the voters with prepaid postage for the return of voted ballots. e) Allow only members of the immediate family (of first consanguinity) to return a voted absentee ballot if the person signs a register upon returning the ballot. f) Only a designated election official should be allowed to collect and return absentee ballots from hones for the unsighted or handicapped, or s i 10M other resi(entS or. eonvalOSCent 1100 S, hospitals or hones for the ag, Ca; CITY COUNCIL JOFf� R. (Randy) SNIDER, Mayor DAVID M. HINCHMAN Mayor Pro Tempore EVELYN M. OLSON JAMES W- PINKERTON, Jr. FRED M. REID C.Y CITY HALL, 221 WEST PINE STREET POST OFFICE BOX 320 LODI, CALIFORNIA 95241 (209) 334-5634 January 4, 1985 To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Lodi City Council From: Alice M. Reimche City Clerk Subject: Absent Voting Procedures HENRY A. CLAVES, Jr. City Manager ALICE M. REIMCHS City Clerk - RONALD M. STEIN City Attorney Election officials throughout the State of California are concerned about the existing absent voting procedures. Areas of concern are: 1, Problems created by third party handling of absentee ballots and applications; 2. The possibility of fraud under the current system; 3. Administrative workload problems caused by the increase in absentee ballots cast; 4. Problems caused by the inflated voting rolls due to inadequacies in the purging system; and 5. Existing confusion regarding absentee voting rules. Many of the problems that have arisen are a result of court cases and interpretations. Among the many suggested reforms being proposed are: 1. Eliminating, restricting or monitoring handling of applications or ballots by third parties; 2. Approval of voter application forms by election officials; 3. Standardizing absentee ballot applications; 4. Maintaining the confidentiality of the names of persons requesting absentee ballots until after the election; and 5. Pursuing legislation to reinstate the restrictive pre -1978 law on absentee voting, A hearing concerning this matter was recently held before the Fair Political Practices Carmission where election officials throughout the state provided € testimony on this subject. y After considering all public testimony, the corunission voted to adopt the following resolutions: 1. The FPPC's staff shall modify the Act's campaign reporting requirements by creating a new code (11AEi111 for reporting exTenditures for absentee bailot solicitations; 2. The staff shall study whether the Political Reform Act should be amended to require additional disclosure by cormittees which are actively involved in the absentee voting process. This additional disclosure may include the disclosure of the names of paid or unpaid persons who, on behalf of a committee, deliver or receive absentee voter applications or absentee ballots. 3. If legislation is introduced to reinstate the restrictive absentee voting provisions which were in effect prior to 1578, the Corrmission will support the legislation. 4. The Commission supports in principle the recom-nendat ions of the League of California Cities with regard to absentee voting. The Cormission is supportive in principal of the recommendations of the League of California Cities with regard to Absentee voting which are to: a. Require absentee ballot applications to be identical and conform to the application prepared by the election office and that no address other than the election office's address appear on the application; b. Make official applications available 30 days prior to an election; c, Keep the list of absentee voters confidential until election day; d. Require that voted ballots be returned to the election official by mail or in person with each jurisdiction having the option of providing the voters with pre -paid postage. for the return of voted ballots. In addition allow a registered voter within the jurisdiction to return up to four voted absentee ballots if the person signs a register upon returning the ballots. Only a designated election official should be allowed to collect and return absentee ballots from homes for the unsighted or handicapped, or frau other residents or convalescent hones, hospitals or homes for the aged; e Include on the application a statement that, once issued an absentee ballot, the voter will only be allowed to vote in the polling place on election day if he/she surrenders the issued absentee ballot; and f. Require absentee ballot applications to be submitted no later that: two weeks prior to an election rather than one week as is now provided. (Ihe "special application process" which currently permits persons to apply for an absentee ballot during the week inmediately prior to the election if necessitated by an "emergency" situation, and which allows a designated third party to handle the ballot, would be srnended to extend that pre-election period to two weeks). g. Make any fraud involving absentee voting a .felony under state law. We would concur with the League's recommendation except to allow a third party (itibo is a registered voter -within the jurisdiction) to return up to four voted absentee ballots. We do feel that an immediate family mezi)er should be allowed to return a voted ballot of another member of his family. tare would ask that this mutter be placed on the Anda for the January 16, 1985 Regular Meeting for action by the Council urging the adoption of legislation setting forth the recommendation of the League of California Cities with the suggested changes heretofore listed. Alice M. He imche' City Clerk 8 Y CITY COUNCIL JOHN R. (Randy) SNIDER, Mavor DAVID M. HINCHMAN Mayor Pro Tempore EVELYN M. OLSON JAMES W. PINKERTON, Jr. FRED M. REID N CIT OF LODI CITY HALL, 221 WEST PINE STREET POST OFFICE BOX 320 LODI, CALIFORNIA 95241 (209) 334-5634 January 24, 1985 HENRY A. GLAVES. )r City Manager ALICE M. REIMCHE City Clerk RONALD M. STEIN City Attorney Secretary of State March Fong Eu Public Market 1230 J Street Sacramento, CA 95814 Dear Secretary of State Eu: Enclosed herewith please find certified copy of Resolution. No. 85-12 - Resolution of the Lodi City Council Urging Modification to Absentee Voting Procedures in the State of California which was adopted at its regular meeting held January 16, 1985. The City of Lodi joins election officials throughout the State of California regarding the significant increase in the use of absentee voting and its impact on the administrative workload, the integrity of the election process and voters relations and urge your support of legislation that would mitigate the problems being encountered. Very truly yours, Lodi City Council by M. M. K� Alice , eimche City Clerk ANIIR:jj Enc. A a RESOLUTION NO. 85--12 RESOLUTION OF THE LODI CITY COUNCIL URGING MODIFICATION TO ABSENTEE VOTING PROCEDURES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Lodi is concerned with the growing use of absentee ballots, the increased potential for election fraud, and the administrative difficulties created for the State's election officials; and WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Lodi feels that the need for legislative changes in the area of absentee voting is clear. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Lodi does hereby support the followin1-1 g modifications to absentee voting procedures and urges the adoption of legislation that would enact these modifications. a) Require absentee ballot applications to be identical and conform to the application prepared by the election office and that no address other than the election office's address appear on the application; b) Make official applications available 90 days prior to an election; c) Keep the list of absentee voters confidential until election day; is F d) Require that voted ballots be returned to the election official by mail or in person with each P jurisdiction having the option of providing the voters with prepaid postage for the return of voted ballots. - e) Allow only members of the immediate family (of first consanguinity) to return a voted absentee = ballot if the person signs a register upon returning the ballot. f) Only a designated election official should be allowed to collect and return absentee ballots from homes for the unsighted or handicapped, or _ from other residents or convalescent homes, hospitals or homes for the aged; x: g) Include on the application a statement that, once issued an absentee ballot, the voter will only be allowed to vote in the polling place on election day if he/she surrenders the issued ballot; and -1- 85-12 h) Require absentee ballot applications to be submitted no later than two weeks prior to an election rather than one week as is now provided. (The "special application process" which currently permits persons to apply for an absentee ballot during the week immediately prior to the election if necessitated by an "emergency" situation, and which allows a designated third party to handle the ballot, would be amended to extend that pre-election period to two weeks.) i) Make any fraud involving absentee voting a felony under state law. Dated: January 16, 1985 I hereby certify that Resolution No. 85-12 was passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Lodi in a regular meeting held January 16, 1985 by the following vote: Ayes: Council Members - Hinchman, Pinkerton, Olson, Reid, and Snider (Mayor) Noes: Council Members - None Absent: Council Members - None Alice M. Reimche , City Clerk CITY COUNCIL JOHN R. (Randy) SNIDER, Mayor DAVID M. HINCHMAN Mayor Pro Tempore FVELYN M. OLSON JAMES W. PINKERTON, Jr. FRED M. REID CITY ® I CITY HALL, 221 WEST PINE STREET POST OFFICE BOX 320 LODI, CALIFORNIA 95241 (209) 334-5634 January 24, 1985 HENRY A. CLAVES, Jr. City Manager ALICE M. REIMCHE City Clerk RONALD M. STEIN City Attorney Honorable John Garamendi Senator State Capitol, Room 313 Sacramento, CA 95814 Dear Senator Garamendi: Enclosed herewith please find certified copy of Resolution No. 85-12 - Resolution of the Lodi City Council Urging Modification to Absentee Feting Procedures in the State of California which was adopted at its regular meeting held January 16, 1985. The City of Lodi joins election officials throughout the State of California regarding the significant increase in the use of absentee voting and its impact on the administrative workload, the integrity of the election process and voters relations and urge your support of legislation that would mitigate the problems being encountered. Very truly yours, Lodi City Council by Ace, �7. Alice M. eimche City Clerk AMR:jj Enc. RESOLUTION NO. 85-12 RESOLUTION OF THE LODI CITY COUNCIL URGING MODIFICATION TO ABSENTEE VOTING PROCEDURES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA WHEREAS, tee City Council of the City of Lodi is concerned with the growing use of absentee ballots, the increased potential for election fraud, and the administrative difficulties created for the State's electi-n officials; and WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Lodi feels that the need for legislative changes in the area of absentee voting is clear. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Lodi does hereby support the following modifications to absentee voting procedures and urges the adoption of legislation that would enact these modi.fications. a) Require absentee ballot applications to be identical and conform to the application prepared by the election office and that no address other than the election office's address appear on the application; b) Make official applications available 90 days prior to an election; c) Keep the list of absentee voters confidential until election day; d) Require that voted ballots be returned to the election official by mail or in person with each jurisdiction having the option of providing the voters with prepaid postage for the return of voted ballots. e) Allow only members of the immediate family (of first consanguinity) to return a voted absentee ballot if the person signs a register upon returning the ballot. f) Only a designated election official should be allowed to collect and return absentee ballots from homes for the unsighted or handicapped, or from other residents or convalescent homes, hospitals or homes for the aged; g) Include on the application a statement that, once issued an absentee ballot, the voter will only be allowed to vote in the polling place on election day if he/she surrenders the issued ballot; and -1- 85-12 h) Require absentee ballot applications to be submitted no later than two weeks prior to an election rather than one week as is now provided. (The "special application process" which currently permits persons to apply for an absentee ballot during the week immediately prior to the election if necessitated by an "emergency" situation, and which allows a designated third party to handle the ballot, would be amended t-o extend that pre-election period to two weeks.) i) Make any fraud involving absentee voting a felony under state law. Dated: January 16, 1985 I hereby certify that Resolution No. 85-12 was passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Lodi in a regular meeting held January 16, 1985 by the following voter Ayes: Council Members - Hinchman, Pinkerton, Olson, Reid, and Snider (Mayor) Noes: Council Members - None Absent: Council Members - None AWJ Alice M. R6 imche City Clerk -2- 85-12 January 24, 1985 Honorable Philip Isenberg Assemblyman State Capital, Room 2175 Sacramento, CA Dear Assemblyman Isenberg: Enclosed herewith please find certified copy of Resolution No. 85-12 - Resolution of the Lodi City Council Urging Modification to Absentee Voting Procedures in the State of California which was adopted at its regular meeting held January 16, 1985. The City of. Lodi joins election officials throughout the State of California regarding the significant increase in the use of absentee voting and its impact on the administrative workload, the integrity of the election process and voters relations and urge your support of legislation that would mitigate the problems being encountered. Very truly yours, Lodi City Council by &I, 1"h - 4w� Alice M. Reimehe City Clerk Milli: j j Enc. r HENRY A. GLAVES, Jr. 1 j City Manager ALICE M. R"e:MCHE " ITY HALL, 221 WE5T.PINE STREET CITY COUNCIL POST OFFICE BOX 320 JOHN R. (Randy) SNIDER, Mayor I nDI, CALIFORNIA 95241 DAVID M. HINCHMAN (209) 334-563.1 Mayor Pro Tempore EVELYN M. OLSON a JAMES_W. PINKERTON, Jr. FRED M.REID January 24, 1985 Honorable Philip Isenberg Assemblyman State Capital, Room 2175 Sacramento, CA Dear Assemblyman Isenberg: Enclosed herewith please find certified copy of Resolution No. 85-12 - Resolution of the Lodi City Council Urging Modification to Absentee Voting Procedures in the State of California which was adopted at its regular meeting held January 16, 1985. The City of. Lodi joins election officials throughout the State of California regarding the significant increase in the use of absentee voting and its impact on the administrative workload, the integrity of the election process and voters relations and urge your support of legislation that would mitigate the problems being encountered. Very truly yours, Lodi City Council by &I, 1"h - 4w� Alice M. Reimehe City Clerk Milli: j j Enc. r HENRY A. GLAVES, Jr. City Manager ALICE M. R"e:MCHE " ITY HALL, 221 WE5T.PINE STREET City Clerk POST OFFICE BOX 320 RONALD M- STEIN I nDI, CALIFORNIA 95241 City Attorney (209) 334-563.1 January 24, 1985 Honorable Philip Isenberg Assemblyman State Capital, Room 2175 Sacramento, CA Dear Assemblyman Isenberg: Enclosed herewith please find certified copy of Resolution No. 85-12 - Resolution of the Lodi City Council Urging Modification to Absentee Voting Procedures in the State of California which was adopted at its regular meeting held January 16, 1985. The City of. Lodi joins election officials throughout the State of California regarding the significant increase in the use of absentee voting and its impact on the administrative workload, the integrity of the election process and voters relations and urge your support of legislation that would mitigate the problems being encountered. Very truly yours, Lodi City Council by &I, 1"h - 4w� Alice M. Reimehe City Clerk Milli: j j Enc. r RESO7.Ulf loA NO. 85-12 RESOLUTION OF THE LOD I CITY COUNC I L URGING MOD I F I CATION TO ABSENTEE VOTING PROCEDURES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Lodi is concerned with the growing use of absentee ballots, the increased potential for election fraud, and the administrative difficulties created for the State's election officials; and - WHEREAS, ti,. City Council of the City of Lodi feels that the need for 1:-gislative changes in the area of absentee voting is clear. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Lodi does hereby support the following modifications to absentee voting procedures and urges the adoption of legislation that would enact these modifications. a) Require absentee ballot applicatijns to be identical and conform to the application prepared by the election office and that no address other than the election office's address appear on the application; b) Make official applications a,-ailable 50 days prior to an election; c) Keep the list of absentee voters confidential until election day; d) Require that voted ballots be returned to the election official by mail or in person with each jurisdiction having the option of providing the voters with prepaid postage for the return of voted ballots.. e) Allow only members of the immediate family (of first consanguinity) to return a voted absentee ballot if the person signs a register upon returning the ballot. f) Only a designated election official should be allowed to collect and return absentee ballots from homes for the unsighted or handicapped, or from other residents or convalescent homes, hospitals or homes for the aged; g) Include on the application a statement that, once issued an absentee ballot, the voter will only be allowed to vote in the polling place on election day if he/she surrenders the issued ballot; and -1- 85-12 OEM-, Y - -- h) Require absentee ballot applications to be submitted no later than two weeks prior to an election rather than one week as is now provided. (The "special application process" which currently permits persons to apply for an absentee ballot during the week immediately prior to the election if necessitated by an "emergency" situation, and which allows a designated third party to handle the ballot, would be amended to extend that pre-election period to two weeks.) i) Make any fraud involving absentee voting a felony under state 'law. Dated: January 16, 1985 I hereby certify that Resolution No. 85-12 was passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Lodi in a regular meeting held January 16, 1985 by the following vote: Ayes: Council Members Hinchman, Pinkerton, Olson, Reid, and Snider (Mayor) Noes: Council Members None Absent: Council Members None Alice M. Reimche City Clerk -2- 85-12