HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2014-23 07/07/2014RESOLUTION NO. 2014 -23
A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE SPRINGFIELD VOTER'S PAMPHLET POLICY,
DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE TO MAKE AVAILABLE AN
ELECTRONIC VOTER'S PAMPHLET FOR THE NOVEMBER 4, 2014 GENERAL
ELECTION, AND SETTING FEES FOR INCLUDING CANDIDATE OR MEASURE
INFORMATION IN THE ELECTRONIC VOTER'S PAMPHLET
WHEREAS, the City of Springfield adopted Ordinance No. 6322 (General) Amending
the Springfield Municipal Code Sections 2.205 "Definitions ", 2.215 "Nominations for
Elective Office ", 2.235 "Time for Filing Petitions ", and 2.270 "Distribution of Voters
Pamphlets ";
WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 6322 provided the option of an online voters' guide with a
list of candidates, statements from candidates, measures or arguments relative to
measures to be considered and voted upon in the City;
WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 6322 authorized that the City Council, by motion, resolution
or ordinance may provide for the preparation and make available an electronic voters'
pamphlet;
WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 6322 set forth that standards for the printed and electronic
voters' pamphlet shall be set by Policy approved by the City Manager;
WHEREAS, Council now wishes to make available an electronic voters' pamphlet for
the November 4, 2014 General Election;
WHEREAS, the Voters' Pamphlet Policies written and approved are attached; and
WHEREAS, Council now wishes to adopt by resolution the City Manager's policies for a
City of Springfield Voters' Pamphlet.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the City of Springfield as follows:
1. The City of Springfield hereby adopts the City Manager's Policies for Voters'
Pamphlet.
2. The City Manager is directed to provide for electronic Voters' Pamphlet for the
November 4, 2014 General Election.
3. The City of Springfield establishes the following fees:
a) Candidate Filing Fee - $25.00
b) Measure Argument Filing Fee - $25.00
I
4. This Resolution shall take effect upon its adoption by the City Council and
approval by the Mayor.
ADOPTED by the Common Council of the City of Springfield this 7 day of die
2014, with a vote of 6 for and 0 against.
ATTEST:
GLVK'4> LUG -
Amy Sowa, C4 Recorder
Christine L. Lundberg, Mayor
REVIEWED & APPROVED
AS TO FORM
DATE: I
OFFICE OF C TY AFTORNEY
RESOLUTION NO.2014 -23
VOTER'S PAMPHLET POLICY
CITY OF SPRINGFIELD
Definitions
Ballot Title. A ballot title describes a city, utility board, school district or park district
measure. All ballot titles must be qualified by the county elections filing officer.
Candidate. An individual whose name is printed or expected to be printed on the ballot
after meeting filing requirements set forth in Springfield Municipal Code Section 2.215 for city
and utility board offices and ORS 255.235 for school district and park district offices.
City Elections Filing Officer. The City Recorder is the elections filing officer for the City
of Springfield City Council positions and Springfield Utility Board positions.
County Elections Filing Officer. The County Clerk is the elections filing officer for Lane
County, Springfield School District 19, and Willamalane Park and Recreation District.
Elective Office. Elective offices shall in Mayor, City Councilor, Springfield Utility
Board (SUB) member, Springfield School District 19 board member, and Willamalane Park and
Recreation District board member.
Electorate. The registered voters in the City of Springfield, the School District, the Park
District, or the Utility Board District.
Initiative. The process of initiating legislation and its enactment or rejection by the
electorate.
Measure. Legislation referred to the voters either by referendum or initiative for the City
of Springfield, Springfield Utility Board, Springfield School District 19, or Willamalane Park
and Recreation District.
Park District. Willamalane Park and Recreation District.
Referendum. The process of referring legislation to the electorate.
Referral. The process of the governing body referring a measure to voters for approval.
Regular Election. An election held at the same time as the statewide primary or general
biennial election.
School District. Springfield School District 19.
Special Election. An election held on a date that is not a regular election date.
Voter's Pamphlet. An informational brochure that may be in print or electronic form
regarding candidate or measure information for an upcoming general or special election. The
Voter's Pamphlet may also be referred to as a "Springfield Election Information."
Utility Board. Springfield Utility Board.
RESOLUTION NO. 2014 -23
IL Purpose
(1) It is the purpose of the City of Springfield to create a voter's pamphlet that will provide
voters with easy access to information regarding upcoming elections for candidates
and /or ballot measures for the City of Springfield, the Springfield Utility Board, the
Springfield School District, or the Willamalane Park District;
(2) The policy guidelines provided here are designed to provide the City Manager with
flexibility to generate a voter's pamphlet that balances the interests of voters' access to
information and the City's interest in efficient and economical means to provide access
to that information.
III. City Manager Duties and Voters' Pamphlet Content
(1) The City Manager shall include additional general information related to the election
process in the Voter's Pamphlet such as the location of drop boxes, requirements for a
citizen to qualify as an elector, how an elector may register or re- register to vote, how
an elector may obtain a ballot, and a map of voting districts. The City Manager
makes no guarantees as to whether the information is accurate and current.
(2) The City Manager shall create a voter's pamphlet for a general or special election
only when directed to do so by City Council pursuant to SMC § 2.270(3).
(3) The order of candidates will be by election (City of Springfield, Springfield Utility
Board, Springfield Public School District, Willamalane Park and Recreation District),
and then by order of position. The order of measures will be in numeric order of the
ballot number.
(4) If the City Manager is directed to create a voter's pamphlet, it shall include:
a. For a Measure:
i. the full text of the measure;
ii. the ballot number;
iii. a summary of the measure, created by the City Manager's Office, that
does not exceed 500 words, that which concisely and impartially
summarizes the measure and its major effects. If not filed, the Voter's
Pamphlet may be printed without it;
iv. any arguments relating to the measure and filed with the City
Manager's Office in compliance with Section IV of this policy. Such
arguments shall not exceed 325 words.
b. For a Candidate:
i. the candidate's name to be included on the ballot;
ii. the office sought;
iii. a portrait no smaller than 1.5 inches by 1.75 inches of the candidate
submitted by the candidate within 70 days of the election date, that is
less than four years old, only shows the face and shoulders of the
candidate, and has no background or other identifying markers in the
picture that would associate the candidate with an organization or
other entity (if candidate does not submit a portrait then no portrait
will be included);
RESOLUTION NO. 2014 -23
iv. a statement submitted by the candidate within 70 days of the election
date that includes the candidate's current occupation, occupational and
educational background, and any additional information the candidate
may deem relevant to the election. The length of the statement shall
not exceed 325 words.
(5) The City Manager shall reject any statement, argument or other matter offered for
filing and printing in the Voter's Pamphlet which:
a. Contains any obscene, profane or defamatory language;
b. Incites or advocates hatred, abuse or violence toward any person or group; or
c. Contains any language which may not be legally circulated through the mail.
(6) The City Manager's determination regarding subsection (5) of this Section III shall be
final.
(7) Nothing in these guidelines shall make the author of any statement or argument
exempt from any civil or criminal action because of any defamatory statements
offered for printing or contained in the Voter's Pamphlet. The persons writing,
signing or offering a statement or argument for filing shall be deemed its authors and
publishers.
(8) The City Manager shall notify a person who offered a portrait, statement, argument or
other matter that was rejected pursuant to this section. Subject to the Voter's
Pamphlet deadlines, the City Manager will allow the person upon notification to
revise the portrait or statement so that it does not violate the provisions of this section.
IV. Submission and Printing of Arguments /Statements of Endorsement For or
Against a Measure or Candidate
(1) Arguments or statements of endorsement must be filed within 70 days of the date of a
general election or 68 days of the date of a special election. Arguments or statements of
endorsement for or against the measure or the candidate shall not exceed 325 words.
Arguments or statements of endorsement must include a signature of the individual
responsible for submission.
(2) Each argument or statement of endorsement that is printed in the Voter's Pamphlet will
include the name of the person who submitted the argument, the name of the
organization the person represents (if any), whether the argument supports or opposes the
measure or the candidate, and a disclaimer that the argument does not constitute an
endorsement by the City and that the City does not warrant the accuracy of any statement
made in the argument.
(3) The City Manager shall determine a fee for filing an argument or statement of
endorsement, not to exceed $300. If a person is unable to pay the filing fee, the City
Manager may waive the fee.
(4) The City Manager shall reject any statement, argument or other matter offered for filing
and printing in the Voter's Pamphlet in the same manner as outlined in Section III (4).
RESOLUTION NO. 2014 -23
V. Candidate Statement Fees
(1) A candidate must pay a fee of $25.00 for inclusion in the voter's pamphlet. Fees are due
at the time the candidate submits his or her portrait and candidate statement.
VI. Distribution and Access to the Voter's Pamphlet
(1) The City Manager may publish the Voter's Pamphlet in hard -copy or electronically.
a. A hard -copy voter's pamphlet may be produced and distributed in a manner that
provides voters with reasonable access to the pamphlet. Reasonable access may
include, but is not limited to, providing copies of the Voter's Pamphlet through a
city -wide newsletter such as the "Team Springfield" newsletter, at City Hall, the
Springfield Library, or other public facility. (Mailing hard copies to each eligible
voter is not required to provide reasonable access); or
b. An electronic voter's pamphlet may be provided on the City website or may be
provided through a website created for the sole purpose of providing voters with
information about upcoming elections.
(2) The City Manager shall provide the Voter's Pamphlet in a manner that is reasonably
likely to reach registered and potential voters no later than 21 days before the election.
Distribution of hard -copy voter's pamphlets to Springfield residences are "reasonably
likely" to reach'voters.
(3) If the pamphlet is only available electronically, the City Manager shall provide notice to
voters that the Voter's Pamphlet is available online. The City Manager will have
discretion to select a method that is reasonably likely to reach voters; methods may
include, but are not limited to, mailing a post -card to Springfield residences notifying the
voter(s) of the electronic pamphlet or notification in a city or local newspaper.
VII. Construction and Interpretation of this Policy
(1) The provisions of this Policy shall be liberally construed to provide the City Manager or
designee with the authority and flexibility to affect the purposes of this Policy.
(2) Any aspect of the voter's pamphlet not specified in this policy or made ambiguous by the
provisions of this policy shall not restrict the City Manager's authority to use his or her
discretion in determining reasonable means to implement this policy.
(3) The information presented here is not the view of the City. This information is a means
of disseminating candidates' and others' views. This is only a platform for information.
The information has not been verified for accuracy or truthfulness. The City accepts no
responsibility for the accuracy or veracity of the statements or information contained
herein.
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