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City of San Ramon election date changes, Measure D and E (2013)
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Two City of San Ramon election date changes, Measure D and E ballot questions were on the November 5, 2013, election ballot for voters in the city of San Ramon in Contra Costa County, California. They were approved.
Measure D and E were companion measures. Measure E was an ordinance that made the city's general election be held on even-number year elections instead of odd-number year elections. It also changed term limits and the duration of the current mayor's time in office to adjust for the alteration. Measure D was a charter amendment that put those changes into the San Ramon Charter. Supporters and opponents were common, and the arguments for and against were the same for each measure.[1]
Election results
| Measure D | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
 Yes | 6,737 | 83.09% | ||
| No | 1,371 | 16.91% | ||
| Measure E | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| Yes | 6,578 | 81.35% | ||
| No | 1,508 | 18.65% | ||
- These final, certified results are from the Contra Costa County elections office.
Text of measure
Measure D
Ballot question
The question on the ballot:
| Shall an ordinance be adopted by the people to amend
the City Municipal Code to change the general municipal election date from November of odd-numbered years to November of even-numbered years and to extend the terms of the Mayor and all City Council members by one year to make that change? (Saves approximately $142,000 per election.)[1][2] |
Measure E
Ballot question
The question on the ballot:
| Shall Article III of the City of San Ramon Charter be
amended to: a) change the mayoral election date from odd-numbered years to the date of the statewide general election during even-numbered years; and b) extend by one year the term of the Mayor elected in 2013 to accommodate the election date change; and c) extend the cumulative total number of years the mayor elected in 2013 may serve from eight to nine years? (Saves approximately $142,000 per election.)[1][2] |
Support
Supporters
Below is a list of those who signed the official voter pamphlet arguments in favor of Measure D and E:
- Louis I. Dagen
- Donna R. Kerger
- Eric G. Wallis
- David Ernest
- Shirley Ernest
Arguments in favor
The main arguments in favor of the election date changes imposed by Measure D and E were that San Ramon was the only city left to have odd-number year general elections and that it would save the city about $142,000 every election cycle.[1]
Official arguments
| “ |
There are two fundamental reasons to support this change of municipal elections to even years. First, there is greater voter participation in even years’ elections, driven primarily by the large number of statewide and national candidates on those even year ballots. Second, this change will save the city substantial money every election cycle. By changing the city council and mayor elections to the even year election cycle, we will align our elections with the election cycle for the President, US Senators, Congressmen, State Governor, and others. There is a dramatic increase in election turnout when national and state offices are on the ballot. In 2010 Contra Costa County voter turnout was 66% when the Governor and US Senator were on the ballot. In 2012, it was 79% for the Presidential election. In 2011 when the city held its last election, voter turnout was only about 29%. Clearly, voter turnout goes up in even years. The San Ramon City Attorney has determined that the change to even year elections will save the city approximately $142,000 every election cycle. San Ramon is the last and only city with elections in odd years. This was not the case many years ago, but all cities and most jurisdictions in the county have moved their elections to even years in the last decade. The few remaining jurisdictions must then share the cost and pay the county to run the election. With fewer participants, the share we must pay goes up every year. This situation will get worse not better in the future. Vote YES on “D” to save money and increase voter participation in San Ramon elections.[1][2] |
” |
Media endorsements
The Contra Costa Times encouraged a "YES" vote on both Measures D and E.[3]
Opposition
Those who were hesitant about the changes Measure D and E would impose said that when city elections are on even numbered years they tend to be overwhelmed by state and nation wide elections and their importance is lost on the voters.[3]
City Analysis
| “ |
This measure is an ordinance submitted to the voters by the San Ramon City Council under authority of Elections Code section 9222. Currently the City of San Ramon conducts its regular municipal election in November of odd-numbered years. A significant portion of election costs are shared by all public entities having candidates or measures on the same ballot. Federal, state and often county elections as well as elections conducted by the many special districts whose geographical territory is within the City of San Ramon are held in November of even-numbered years. Because of the cost sharing basis for determining election costs there would be a savings of approximately $142,000 per election if the general municipal election were moved from November of odd-numbered years to November of evennumbered years. As allowed under Elections Code section 10403.5(b), the ordinance submitted by this Measure extends the terms of the Mayor and all Councilmembers by one year to accommodate changing the election date. The ordinance will not go into effect unless the Charter amendment providing for election of the Mayor in even-numbered years is also approved at the election on November 5, 2013. A “yes” vote is a vote to adopt the ordinance thereby changing the date of the general municipal election from November of odd-numbered years to the date of the statewide general election in November of evennumbered years and extending the terms of the Mayor and Councilmembers by one year. A “no” vote is a vote against adoption of the ordinance thereby leaving the general municipal election to be held in November of odd-numbered years.[1][2] |
” |
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 city of San Ramon Sample Ballot and Voter Pamphlett
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source. Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "quotedisclaimer" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid<ref>tag; name "quotedisclaimer" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ 3.0 3.1 Contra Costa Times, "Contra Costa Times editorial: Voters should back four East Bay measures," September 14, 2013
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