HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 4597 Notifying Election Administrator about Conducting 2015 General Elections by Mail Ballot Bo2�
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COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 4597
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOZEMAN CITY COMMISSION NOTIFYING
THE GALLATIN COUNTY ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR OF THE
CITY'S DESIRE TO CONDUCT THE 2015 CITY PRIMARY(IF HELD)AND
THE 2015 GENERAL ELECTIONS BY MAIL BALLOT IN
ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 13-19-202, MONTANA CODE
ANNOTATED, AND NOTIFICATION OF THE CITY'S COMMITMENT TO
FUND THE RETURN POSTAGE COSTS.
WHEREAS, voter turnout in Bozeman municipal elections has historically been low; and
WHEREAS, Montana law provides a method for conducting mail ballot elections for local
elections; and
WHEREAS, mail ballot elections statistically increase voter turnout in elections; and
WHEREAS, the City of Bozeman conducted the 201B General Election by Mail Ballot with a
return rate with postage paid of 39.4%.
WHEREAS, the Gallatin County Elections Administrator Charlotte Mills informed the
Commission that the costs of conducting a mail ballot are always going to be less than the costs of
conducting a polling place election; and
WHEREAS, Charlotte Mills also informed the Commission that in her opinion mail ballot
elections tend to increase voter participation,remove barriers that keep people from getting to the polls,
gives people more time to study candidates and issues, and has built in safeguards that increase the
integrity of the election process; and
WHEREAS,the City may hold a Primary Election on September 15,2015 a required by 13-1-107
(2) MCA; and
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Commission Resolution No. 4597,2015 City Election Process Notification to Gallatin County Elections Administrator
WHEREAS, Section 13-14-115 (2), MCA,provides:
(a) The election administrator of the political subdivision may determine that a primary
election need not be held if:
(i) the number of candidates for an office exceeds three times the number to be elected
to that office in no more than one-half of the offices on the ballot; and
(ii) the number of candidates in excess of three times the number to be elected is not
more than one for any office on the ballot; and
(b) If the election administrator determines that a primary election need not be held
pursuant to subsection (2)(a),the administrator shall give notice to the governing body that a primary
election will not be held; and
WHEREAS,Section 13-14-115(3),MCA,states a governing body mayrequire that aprimary
election be held if it passes a resolution not more than 10 days after the close of filing by candidates for
election stating that a primary election must be held; and
WHEREAS, the City of Bozeman will hold a General Election on November 3, 2015, as
required by 13-1-104 (2) MCA; and
WHEREAS,pursuant to Section 13-19-104, MCA, such elections can b conducted by a
mail ballot election; and the Gallatin County Election Administrator has determined that a mail ballot
election conducted in accordance with the provisions of Title 13, Chapter 19,Parts 1-3,MCA is in the
best interests of the City and the electors thereof,and pursuant to Section 13-19-202,MCA,the City of
Bozeman may notify the County Election Administrator of its intent to conduct a mail ballot election;
and
WHEREAS,the Election Administrator shall prepare a written plan,including a timetable,for
the conduct of the elections and shall submit it to the Secretary of State at least 60 days prior to the date
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Commission Resolution No. 4597,2015 City Election Process Notification to Gallatin County Elections Administrator
set for the election in accordance with 13-19-205 MCA; and
WHEREAS, an official ballot will be mailed to every qualified elector of the City of
Bozeman, with the goal of increasing voter participation in the municipal elections for 2015; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission has committed to funding the return postage costs on
returned ballots; and
WHEREAS, the Election Administrator will have at several drop off sites within the City
limits for electors who wish to mark their ballot at a polling site and deposit their ballot with the election
judges at that polling site; and
WHEREAS,the Election Administrator will have ADA accessible marling devices for the
disabled to marls their ballot in privacy at the drop off polling sites; and
WHEREAS,for any election conducted by mail ballots must be mailed no sooner than the 25tn
day and no later than the 15t" day before Election Day and all ballots must be mailed the same day in
accordance with 13-19-207, MCA.; and
WHEREAS, the City of Bozeman desires to reduce barriers for qualified electors in the
election process to as few barriers as possible.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Commission ofthe City of Bozeman
hereby notifies the Gallatin County Election Administrator of the City's desire to conduct the 201E city
primary (if held) and the 2015 general election by mail ballot in accordance with Sect. 13-19-202,
MCA,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, the City Commission of the City of Bozeman
hereby notifies the Gallatin County Election Administrator that ballots should be mailed 15 days before
the election.
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Commission Resolution No. 4597,2015 City Election Process Notification to Gallatin County Elections Administrator
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT,except as provided in Sect. 13-19-204,MCA,the
decision to conduct an election under the provisions of Sect. 13-19-202, MCA, is within the sole
discretion of the Election Administrator.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, the City Clerk is hereby directed to forward a
certified copy of this resolution to the Gallatin County Election Administration in accordance with the
provisions of Sect. 13-1.9-202, MCA.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT,within five (5) days of receiving this request,the
Election Administrator shall respond to the Bozeman City Clerk in writing stating that this request is
either granted or denied for reasons specified. If granted, the Election Administrator shall prepare a
plan as provided in Sect. 13-19-205, MCA.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, the City Commission of the City of Bozeman
hereby informs the Gallatin County Election Administrator that the City will be providing for funding,of
return postage.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 4th day of May, 2015.
Zbl r
JEFFREY USS
Maygf;
ATTEST
STACY tL"KN, CMC �
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City Clerk r _ .
c APPROVE]T TO FORM:
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GRE ISULLIVAN
City Attorney
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