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Even-year election option returns to council, vote expected
FAIRFIELD — The city is one step closer to eliminating odd-year elections.
Fairfield City Council members will hear the item for the second time Tuesday after directing staff last month to move forward with the process of moving the elections. Staff recommends approval of the item.
Moving the elections to even years comes at the urging of Solano County. Supervisors Jim Spering and John Vasquez talked to the council at its Feb. 19 meeting about increasing voter turnout as well as cost savings.
Changing the election years would mean all incumbents would have their terms extended one year.
Elections were moved to odd years in 1985 and first took place in 1987. The council at the time amended an ordinance to do so. The council Tuesday must do the same thing and send it to the Solano County Board of Supervisors for final approval.
If the change is approved, Fairfield must send a mailer to each registered voter, which is estimated to cost around $22,000.
Those in the Fairfield-Suisun School District will watch the vote by the council closely. The district’s governing board will consider a similar move two nights later. School board trustees discussed the item Thursday and have to make a decision by March 9 to affect upcoming elections, because of state time lines.
The cost savings from elections would increase if all entities in the county switched to even years. School district Superintendent Jacki Cottingim-Dias told trustees that if they were to change as well, they may be able to split the cost of mailers for the Fairfield voters by sending one notice.
Reach Danny Bernardini at 427-6935 or dbernardini@dailyrepublic.net. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/dbernardinidr.
Fairfield City Council
- What: Consider plan to switch to even-year city voting
- When: 6 p.m. Tuesday
- Where: Fairfield City Council chamber, 1000 Webster St.
- Info: 428-7384
Danny Bernardini
Discussion | 4 comments
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WoodyMarch 05, 2013 - 4:52 am
The change to what we have now was done in 1985? What's the statistics on whether it was effective? What was the thinking when the change was made in 1985? Was it to waste money? I'd like to know. Was it to allow voters to concentrate on the local issues, independent of national and state races? I read in an earlier comment, can you imagine the cost if the ballots are wrong in any way? I would like to read more.
Reply |SteveMarch 05, 2013 - 8:23 am
Woody, Don't know why the change was made in 1985. But do know that elections in odd numbered years, with little or nothing else on the ballot, has resulted in voter turnout of less than 25%. What does that mean? 40% of Fairfield's citizens are registered. If only 25% vote, that means10% of Fairfield's citizens have elected our city leaders for the last decade or so. Moving to even numbered years saves a bit of money, but even numbered year elections result in turnouts of 60-75%, three times the number of voters than in odd years. Voters focus when there are things on the ballot like Governor's and Presidents. They snooze the rest of the time. This is a good idea. Saves money, more voters, more votes, less chance for special interests to affect elections.
Reply |WoodyMarch 05, 2013 - 7:18 pm
Thank you, I read and am engaged in the process, I also would encourage this if it engages the rest of the voting electorate. Thank you Steve
Reply |SolanoBusinessIncubator.ComMarch 05, 2013 - 11:45 pm
It's interesting to see these changes move forward.
Reply |