Chairman Barreiro noted the issue regarding ballot questions to amend the County’s Home Rule Charter was whether they should be placed on the August 26, 2008, or November 4, 2008, ballot. He pointed out questions to amend the Charter were County issues and he suggested voters could better analyze the issues if the questions were placed on the shorter August 26, 2008, ballot.
Commissioner Gimenez pointed out the voter turnout would be higher for the November 4, 2008, election than August 26, 2008.
Commissioner Heyman noted the Charter questions were important issues to County operations, and the November 4, 2008, election date would provide better opportunity to educate voters on the issues.
Commissioner Diaz questioned whether the County would have enough time to educate the voters on the issues if the questions were on the August 26, 2008, ballot.
Commissioner Sorenson noted November elections historically had drop-off, and many voters would not complete the entire ballot.
Following further discussion on which ballot the Commission should place questions to amend the Charter, Chairman Barreiro conducted a Straw Vote, and upon being put to a Straw Vote, a majority of the commissioners present voted in support of November 4, 2008.
Chairman Barreiro advised the Commission to consider November 4, 2008, as the election date as they drafted their proposed Charter amendments.
Board of County Commissioners
5/6/2008
16B2
Deferred
5/20/2008
Board of County Commissioners
4/22/2008
16B2
Not considered
Board of County Commissioners
4/8/2008
16B3
Deferred
4/22/2008
P
REPORT:
Chairman Barreiro noted the April 3, 2008, Board workshop held to discuss the proposed amendments to the Home Rule Amendment and Charter. He stated the foregoing discussion item was to determine the election date, August 26 or November 4, 2008, for the ballot questions pertaining to charter amendments.
Commissioner Seijas supported the November 4 election date for the ballot questions pertaining to the County’s charter amendments.
Chairman Barreiro spoke in support of the August 26 election date noting several ballot questions were scheduled for November 4, and the drop off rate for voters was more likely for the November 4 election date.
Hearing no further questions or comments, Chairman Barreiro announced this discussion item would be deferred to the next Board meeting scheduled for April 22, 2008.
County Attorney Robert Cuevas advised Board members that the window for the August 26 Primary election was from April 28 – June 27.
County Manager
4/4/2008
Additions
Board of County Commissioners
4/8/2008
Legislative Text
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