REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Adopt a Resolution Calling and Giving Notice of a Special Municipal Election to be Held on Tuesday, March 3, 2020, for a Vote on One Ballot Measure that, if passed, Would Amend Sections 600, 700.1 and 700.2 of the Santa Clara City Charter; Requesting the Consolidation of the Special Municipal Election with the Statewide Presidential Primary Election to be Held in Santa Clara County on March 3, 2020; and Directing the City Attorney to Prepare the Impartial Analysis
Report
BACKGROUND
In November 2018, the City of Santa Clara (City) held its first district-based elections as required by a ruling of the Santa Clara Superior Court (Court). The Court ruling implemented district-based elections with six Council districts but did not amend the City Charter. Under the state constitution, the City Charter can only be amended by a vote of the City electorate. Currently, the City Charter still states that City Councilmembers are to be elected "at-large, by seat."
The City Council placed an advisory measure on the November 2018 ballot to determine if the voters wanted to engage in a public process to draft charter amendment language. The advisory ballot measure (known as "Measure N") read as follows:
"Shall the City of Santa Clara engage the voters in a public process to draft a Charter Amendment ballot measure to elect its Council Members, other than the Mayor, by district?"
Santa Clara voters approved Measure N, with 70.4% of the vote, on Nov. 6, 2018.
In July 2019, the City Council appointed a 7-member Charter Review Committee (Committee) charged with conducting public outreach and making recommendations related to district elections and a potential ballot measure.
Over a four-month period the Committee held five formal public input sessions, five informal listening sessions, received 259 survey responses (on-line and paper) regarding district elections, received seven e-mails and conducted individual outreach in the community. The surv...
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