To: Election Commission
From: Lisa Anderson, Town Clerk
Title
Informational Updates for Election Commission
Body
________________________________________________________________________________
Executive Summary
There are several items staff wishes to update the Election Commission on:
Term Expirations
The Town is currently accepting applications for boards and commissions until April 22. Interviews will be held on May 14. Election Commissioners can serve two, three-year terms.
We will have two vacancies to fill for the upcoming terms ending on May 31, 2024:
• Sherry Viani - 2nd and final term ends May 31, 2024 - may apply for other boards and commissions
• Leslie Polson - 1st term ends May 31, 2024 - may reapply for 2nd term with Election Commission or other boards and commissions
Terms for Other Election Commission Members
Jessica Kallweit - May 31, 2025
Jean-Noel Gerby - May 31, 2025
Rosalyn Bellis - May 31, 2026
Pending Annexations
There are multiple annexations that are in process or are anticipated to occur in the near future. Once Council approves them and they have been recorded, the Election Commission will be tasked with determining which Election District they will be included in:
Approved and waiting on recordation:
• Memmen Parcel - 5 acres - approved by Town Council on June 20, 2023
In Process:
• Ridgeview Town Center - 10.18 acres
• Wellspring - 2.721 acres
• Memmen Trails - 15 acres
• Four Corners - 8 parcels, 1.36 acres, Town-owned
• Southridge 1 - .12 acres, Town-owned
• Southridge 2 - .02 acres, Town-owned
• Gilbert and Plum Creek - .47 acres, Town-owned
• Terra Monte - 32 acres
Anticipated:
• Crystal Valley Interchange - 4 parcels
• Woodlands and 5th - 6.5 acres
• Plum Creek and Ridge - 32.29 acres
• Castle Oaks and Parker Road - 13 acres
• Frontage and Crystal Valley - 8 acres
Annexation Process
This process can take a couple of months to several years to go through the entire process depending on the circumstances for each property.
1. A petition is submitted to the Town Clerk
2. Town Council is presented with a Resolution to determine if the annexation is in substantial compliance with requirements and sets a hearing date for the Eligibility Hearing.
3. The Eligibility Hearing is noticed in the newspaper, letters notifying the taxing authorities is mailed out, and an Impact report is mailed to the Commissioners.
4. Town Council is presented with a Resolution to determine if the annexation is eligible.
5. Town Council is presented with an Ordinance to annex the property and determine the zoning
6. Town Council is presented with a Resolution approving the Development Agreement.
7. The Annexation is recorded with the County, updated on the Town map, sent to County Elections
8. Election Commission determines the Election District for the annexed property.
2024 Election Updates
The November 5, 2024 Election will be coordinated with Douglas County. The Town will submit the list of Town Council candidates for Districts 1, 2, 4 and 6 along with any ballot questions they wish to propose 60 days prior to the election.
There are currently three candidates registered for the 2024 election and one issue committee. These appear on our website CRgov.com under Town Government, Elections, Candidate Registrations and Financial Filings. There are no ballot issues submitted to date, however, there have been inquiries into submitting a citizen-initiated petition for a ballot question.
Candidate Committee Requirements
Candidates appear on the ballot by submitting valid petitions and acceptance of the nomination. Candidate Committees can register at any time; but Candidates will not circulate Nomination Petitions until August 6 and must return them by August 26. Town Council candidates must submit petitions with 25 valid signatures from registered voters that reside in their District. Mayoral candidates must submit petitions with 10 valid signatures from registered voters from each of the 6 Districts. Each Committee must submit Contribution and Expenditure reports according to the schedule and their reports are posted on our website. Currently, Town Code does not restrict who contributes to a Committee or place any limit on contributions.
Issue Committees
Issue Committees can register at any time. Issue Committees are not required to submit a contribution or expenditure report until they have reached $2,500 in contributions or expenditures. Currently, Town Code does not restrict who contributes to a Committee or place any limit on contributions.
Initiative Petitions
If citizens wish to place a question on the ballot, they must do so by submitting a petition form for approval then obtain the required number of valid signatures by mid-July in order to meet ballot certification deadlines for the November 5, 2024 election. Town Code requires they obtain 10% of the active and inactive registered voters in the Town. Currently that amounts to over 6,200 valid signatures that would need to be verified.
Town Code Updates
The Election Commission did a review of the Town Code at a previous meeting; and since then, the Town Clerk’s Office and the Town Attorney’s Office have been working on election code amendments. There was also state legislation that affected some amendments proposed. Town Council approves code amendments; however, staff would like to present the recommendations to the Election Commission at a future meeting for their input.
State Legislation
At the time the Election Commission is presented with proposed code amendments, staff can present an update on State legislation and how it affects or applies to the Town.
Direction
If desired, the Election Commission can propose to set a future meeting to be presented with proposed Code amendments and state legislation updates. If the Election Commission wishes to meet prior to the term expirations of May 31, 2024; times previously presented that show availability of staff and Town Council Chambers are:
April 29, 10-6
April 30, 10-6
May 1, 10-3
May 2, 10-1
If later dates are preferred, staff can look at dates after May 2; as well as dates after new terms start on June 1, 2024.
Proposed Motion
“I move to request an Election Commission meeting on ____________ at ____pm.”
OR
“I move to request that staff schedule a meeting of the Election Commission in the timeframe of __________________.”