HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010 11-08 City Council Manager Workshop PacketAGENDA
MAPLEWOOD CITY COUNCIL
MANAGER WORKSHOP
5:15 P.M. Monday, November 8, 2010
Council Chambers, City Hall
A. CALL TO ORDER
B. ROLL CALL
C. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
D. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
E. NEW BUSINESS
5:15 — 6:30 p.m.
1. Fire Station Feasibility Study Discussion
6:30 — 6:50 p.m.
2. Discussion on Even Year Elections
F. ADJOURNMENT
THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLAND
TO: James Antonen,
FROM: Karen Guilfoile, Director Citizen Services
DATE: November 3, 2010
SUBJECT: Discussion on Odd and Even Year Elections
Item E2
Aside from working with Ramsey County and the Secretary of State's Office conducting Federal
and State Elections, the Citizen Services Elections Division conducts odd year elections for
Maplewood Mayor and City Council members.
It was requested that staff collect statistical information pertaining to local elections to be used
as a springboard for conversation about the pros and cons of switching from odd to even year
municipal elections.
Following is a table that contains information from 2001 — 2009 showing the annual cost, the
number of registered voters and the percentage of voters voting for these years.
Election
Year
Actual
Budget
Registered
Voters
Percentage
Voting
On the
Ballot
2001
$26,751
20,501
33%
Mayor/ Council members/623 School Beard
2002
$36,031
23,897
73%
2003'
$21,071
19,893
41%
Council members/622 School Board/623 School
Board/624 School Board /Bond Referendum/Capital
Lev
2004
$47,247
25,813
80%
2005'
$33,390
20,099
24%
Mayor/ Council members/622 School Board /623 School
Board and 624 School Board
2006
$66,211
24,463
65%
2007'
$53,570
22,584
29%
Council members 1624 School Board & Referendum
Question
2008
$79,450
26,698
79%
2009'
$68,174
22,658
27
Mayor/ Council members/623 Board & 624 Board
2010
23,007
62°x0
Compiled from unaudited figures.
As you will notice, the cost of conducting elections has progressively risen over the last 10
years. This is due to an increase of the amount of election judges needed at the precincts
beginning in 2004, maintenance cost for aging equipment and the number of voters casting their
votes by absentee ballot. All supplies, envelopes and most importantly postage is assumed by
the City in the absentee voting process.
In addition to conducting State, Federal and Local elections, the Elections Division also
conducts our school district elections for the school district precincts that exist in our city.
Regardless if the City has odd or even year elections, City staff would still be conducting
elections annually but the majority of the costs will be reimbursed by the School District and
Ramsey County.
Packet Page Number 3 of 4
The City of Maplewood has three School Districts within our borders. Currently School District
622 North St. Paul - Maplewood- Oakdale conducts even year elections and School Districts 623
(Roseville Area Schools) and 624 (White Bear Lake Area Schools) conduct odd year elections.
Maplewood precincts one, two and three are in School District 623 while portions of precincts
seven and eight are in School District 624. If the City were to change our current City Code and
hold our Municipal election in even years we would still be obligated to conduct the odd year
elections for School District 623 and 624.
City elections are nonpartisan elections. Changing our municipal election to even year
increases the odds that candidates for municipal offices will be party endorsed in a nonpartisan
race. Further, if the city changes to even year, candidates for local offices are then competing
for campaign finance dollars that usually go to higher political offices.
Switching to even year municipal elections, may make it difficult in retaining election judges
since election judges can now work anywhere in the State. Also, with the forever changing
laws, only working as a judge every other year will no doubt necessitate in additional training.
If the change is made to move to even year municipal elections, City Code Section 2 -36 Terms
of Office would have to be rewritten and the terms of the current mayor and councilmember seats
would be extended by ordinance as follows:
Mayor Rossbach
Term extended to December 31, 2014 (January 5, 2015)
Councilmember Juenemann
Term extended to December 31, 2014 (January 5, 2015)
Councilmember Koppen
Term extended to December 31, 2012 (January 7, 2013)
Councilmember Llanas
Term extended to December 31, 2014 (January 5, 2015)
Councilmember Nephew
Term extended to December 31, 2012 (January 7, 2013)
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