Fail: 14476 / 46.84% Yes votes ...... 16431 / 53.16% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Summary:

The City of Livermore holds Council member and Mayoral elections in November of odd-numbered years. This schedule means that Livermore voters elect their Councilmembers and Mayor outside of years when elections for Statewide and National offices typically take place. This measure would match the dates for Councilmember and Mayoral elections to Statewide and National elections.

This measure also would add one year to the terms of the Councilmembers and Mayor at the next election for those offices. This will allow for a multi-year transition of elections to even-numbered years, starting after the next municipal election in 2013. Thus, for example, Councilmembers elected in 2013 would hold five-year terms and serve until the 2018 ejection. The Mayor also would be elected in 2013, but, because of the usual two-year term for that position, would serve until an election in 2016.

The City Council placed this measure on the ballot as an alternative to the measure that adds the extra year instead to the incumbent Councilmembers and Mayor. If that measure passes by a majority of the votes cast, it will control over this ballot measure, and the sitting Councilmembers and Mayor will have their terms extended by one year. If that measure does not pass and this one does, this measure will be effective and the Councilmembers and Mayor elected at the next elections will receive the extra year for their terms.

Impartial Analysis from Livermore City Attorney

The Livermore City Council placed this measure on the ballot to amend the City's Municipal Code and change Livermore's elections from odd-numbered years to even-numbered years. Livermore elects its Councilmembers and Mayor in November of odd-numbered years. This schedule is the result of a previous ballot measure in 1982, so any date change must likewise come after voter approval.

This measure would gradually change election dates for the Mayor and Councilmembers from odd- to even-numbered years. It also would add one year to the terms of the incoming elected Council members and Mayor to make the change of elections to even-numbered years possible.

The purpose for changing election years is to reduce costs by consolidating livermore's elections with Statewide and National elections, which are held in even-numbered years. Election costs vary depending on the number of jurisdictions participating in an election. Since more jurisdictions participate in even-numbered year elections, costs for those elections are lower. Voter turnout in even-numbered years generally is higher, also, because of participation in Statewide and National elections.

If Livermore changes its elections to even-numbered years, it must alter the terms of office by one year to "reset" those terms to even-numbered years. This measure does that by adding a year to the incoming Councilmember and Mayor's terms. Incoming Councilmembers from the 2013 election will serve until the November 2018 election. The Mayor's term is two years, which otherwise would expire in 2015. This measure will direct that he or she serve through the November 2016 election. Councilmernbers elected in 2015 will serve until November 2020. As of 2016, the Councilmembers and Mayor elected will serve four- and two-year terms, respectively, consistent with the existing Municipal Code provisions.

Livermore's City Clerk estimated that odd-year elections cost $330,000, while even-year elections cost $50,000. Because of staggered Councilmember terms, a phase-in period is necessary to arrive at terms that coincide with even-numbered years. Elections would take place in 2013,2015, and 2016 before elections will be held every other, evennumbered year. The City Clerk estimates that the City will incur about $660,000 in election expenses for odd years until it realizes savings by combining City elections with regular Statewide and National elections. After that, the City would realize cost savings of approximately $280,000 per general election.

A different measure on this ballot also changes the election date, but adds the extra year to the incumbent Councilmembers and Mayor. If that passes by a majority of the votes cast in this election, it will control over this ballot measure, and the sitting Councilmembers and Mayor will have their terms extended by one year. If that measure does not pass and this one does, this measure will be effective and the Councilmernbers and Mayor elected at the next election will receive the extra year for their terms.

To amend the City's Municipal Code, this measure must receive a majority "yes" vote, and the first measure must fail.