HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-2005-074 2005 Primary Election by MailRESOLUTION NO. R-2005- 74
A RESOLUTION authorizing and approving that the Yakima County Auditor conduct
the September 20, 2005 Primary election by mail ballot.
WHEREAS, conducting the September 20, 2005 Primary election will reduce the
cost of conducting the Primary; and
WHEREAS, previous mail ballot elections have increased voter turnout; now,
therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF YAKIMA:
That the Primary election to occur on September 20, 2005, be conducted totally
by mail ballot.
ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL this 3rd day of May , 2005.
Paul George, Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
Fire Share/Word/Agenda Statement/2005
BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No. 13
For Meeting of: May 3, 2005
ITEM TITLE: Consideration of Resolution Authorizing and Approving the
County Auditor to Conduct the September 2005 Primary Election
by Mail Ballot
SUBMITTED BY: Karen S. Roberts, City Clerk
CONTACT PERSON/TELEPHONE: Karen S. Roberts / 575-6037
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
Corky Mattingly, Yakima County Auditor, is requesting Council to approve and authorize her to
conduct the September 2005 Primary election totally by mail ballot. She supports this request for
three main reasons:
1) Approximately 80% of the voters who vote in the Primary vote by absentee ballot. Most of the
polling places will be virtually empty on Election Day. The comparison of voter turnout in the
1999 Primary (polls) and the 2003 Primary (all mail) shows a 44% increase in voter turnout.
2) The second reason is the cost savings by using the mail ballot process. As an example, there
was a 23% cost reduction between the 2001 Primary, which was conducted using the polls,
and the 2003 Primary, which was conducted all by mail.
3) The Third reason is the ability to use the registration information generated by a mail ballot
election for voter registration file maintenance. Federal law requires this be done every two
years and by combining it with the conduct of the Primary, it would save each jurisdiction
money.
The Primary is the only election this fall where a vote by mail process can be used and provides
an opportunity to make the dollars spent on elections more cost effective for our citizens.
Resolution X Ordinance Other (Specify) Memorandum
Contract Mail to (name and address):
Funding Source:
APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL: City Manager
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Adopt Resolution
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
COUNCIL ACTION: Resolution adopted. RESOLUTION NO. R-2005-74