Resolution 2020-033, calling for the holding of a Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2020, requesting the County Elections Department to conduct the Election, requesting consolidation of the Election, and providing for a procedure for determining a tie vote for the November 3, 2020 City of Carmel-by-the-Sea Municipal Election.

Adopt Resolution 2020-033, calling for the holding of a Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2020, requesting the County Elections Department to conduct the Election, requesting consolidation of the Election, and providing for a procedure for determining a tie vote for the November 3, 2020 City of Carmel-by-the-Sea Municipal Election.

California Elections Code Division 10 outlines the general provisions and procedures for the conduct of local and consolidated elections. The City Clerk, as the Elections Official for the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea hereby requests City Council authorization to consolidate the election for the office of Mayor and two Council Member seats to be held on November 3, 2020. 

The filing period begins Monday, July 13, 2020 and ends at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 7, 2020. According to Elections Code § 10225, if any incumbents for a specific office fail to file or qualify by the close of the workday on August 7, 2020, the filing period will be extended five (5) calendar days for the specific office, for non-incumbents only, thus closing at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 12, 2020.

Adoption of Resolution 2020-033 authorizes the City Clerk to procure the services of the Monterey County Elections Department for conducting the election.

California Elections Code § 15651 authorizes the City Council to determine the means and manner in which a tie vote is to be resolved in the event that two or more persons receive an equal number of votes and the highest number of votes (“tie vote”) for an office to be voted upon in a city. Section § 15651 provides the tie vote shall be resolved by lot or by conducting a Special Election. Resolution by lot is recommended, due to the expense of conducting a Special Election.

Candidates have the option of providing a Candidate Statement of not more than 200 words, stating the candidate’s background, education, and qualifications as expressed by the candidate.  Pursuant to Election Code § 10228, all candidates filing nomination papers are required to pay a filing fee of $25.00.  Additionally, the City Clerk shall estimate the costs to the candidate associated with candidate statements and is not bound by this estimate.

Monterey County Elections Department estimates that the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea’s share for the cost of the election to be between $6.00 and $8.00 per registered voter. As of February 24, 2020, the County of Monterey reports the City has 2,503 registered voters for an estimated Election cost of $15,000-20,000. Consolidating the City’s General Municipal Election with the Presidential General Election provides cost sharing with other jurisdictions within the County.

The City Council takes action for General Municipal Elections every two-years in even-numbered years. The City Council approved similar Resolutions in 2018 for the 2018 election.