Title
Elections Department recommending the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign a budget amendment to transfer $237,640 from General Fund contingency to the Elections Department, to conduct the March 26, 2019 Senate District 1 Special Election, due to vacancy (4/5 vote required).
FUNDING: General Fund, increase to the Election Departments FY 2018-19 budget.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The Senate District 1 seat was vacated when the incumbent was sworn into a new position in 2019. A Special Election was called by the Governor of California on January 16, 2019, resulting in a Special Primary Election in the County of El Dorado on March 26, 2019. This is a county-wide election.
This funding is required to: purchase ballots; pay for the cost of mailing ballots; cover the cost of temporary labor; pay for polling places; pay for poll workers; print Voter Information Pamphlets; cover postage costs for outgoing and return ballots (now required by AB216); as well as cover the cost to rent vans for transportation of equipment.
Additionally, there is a potential for a run-off General Election on June 4, 2019, if a candidate does not win this primary with 50% +1 vote. If this happens another budget transfer will be brought to the Board for approval.
There is also a potential for another runoff election if one of the candidates who has filed to run in this Senate District 1 election wins this seat. The timing of that election is not known, but would potentially be in August, 2019.
ALTERNATIVES
If the budget increase to the Elections Department is not approved, the County would not be able to comply with California election code requirements.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
General Fund Increase to the Elections Department budget of $237,640 in FY 2018-19.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Bill O'Neill, Registrar of Voters 621-7505