HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-01-22 EC MINUTESENGLEWOOD ELECTION COMMISSION
January 22, 1991
The meeting was called to order at 4:47 p.m. by City Clerk Crow.
Present:
Absent:
Lay, Warren, Wilson, Crow
None
(NOTE: DUE TO THE RESIGNATION OF MELODY KOLLATH, ONE VACANCY EXISTS}
Also present: Deputy City Clerk, Ellis
A quorum was present.
* ~ * * *
City Clerk Crow gave the Oath of Office to Llomar Warren and Jo Lay, the newly
appointed members of the Election Comm i ssion.
* * * * *
City Clerk Crow advised the Commission of Melody Kollath's resignation. She
explained Melody chose to devote her energy to her involvement with battered
women and abused families, as well as other areas .
Nominations for Chairman of the Election Commission were requested.
MEMBER WILSON MOVED, MEMBER WARREN SECONDED, TO NOMINATE JO LAY, TO SERVE AS
CHAIRMAN ON THE ELECTION COMMISSION.
The nominations were closed.
Vote results:
Ayes:
Nays:
Wilson, Warren, Lay, Crow
None
Motion carried; Ms. Lay was duly elected Chairman.
* * * * *
Chairman Lay requested a briefing on the Election Procedures Manual. City
Clerk Crow advised that the Procedures Manual had been submitted to Assistant
City Attorney Dan Brotzman for review. Mr. Brotzman has advised its contents
meet Charter and State Statute requirements. She noted City Council has
requested the manual be submitted to them after approved by the Commission.
Ms. Crow requested comments from the members concerning the manual.
Member Lay questioned the position of the City regarding "qualified" versus
"registered" electors to participate in the election process. Ms. Crow
explained the City Attorney's Office has determined we will accept "qualified"
electors signatures on petitions, but they must be "registered" electors in
order to actually vote.
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Election Conunission Meeting
January 22, 1991
Member Lay noted the attorney for the City of Littleton had interpreted it
differently and they allowed "qualified" electors to vote on some issues. In
response, Ms. Crow assured the Commission, a legal opinion had been issued
concerning this matter upon which the Commission can rely.
Discussion ensued. The Commission agreed to postpone action on the Procedures
Manual until February 7, 1991.
City Clerk Crow noted the Election Commission is scheduled to meet with City
Council in April. She suggested the manual be finalized and presented to
Council prior to that meeting.
[Clerk's Note: Chairman Lay later decided an additional review of the
manual was unnecessary. By telephone poll all members were contacted
and approval was given to the adoption of the Procedures Manual as
presented at the January 22, 1991 meeting.]
* * * * *
City Clerk Crow provided background information on redistricting, noting the
last major redistricting occurred in 1987. Charter directs that redistricting
must be completed before May 1, 1991. She explained that reapportionment must
take into consideration .population and registered voters. The State will
redistrict prior to the 1992 general election, Arapahoe County does not
anticipate commencing it's redistricting until January of 1992, and final
census figures are not expected to be available before April 1991, all of
which affects Englewood's redistricting. Ms. Crow offered the Commission the
following options:
-redistrict now based on registered voters and meet the Charter
deadline and requirements, but not comply with case law (one man/one
vote)
-delay the redistricting process until the population figures are
available, in which case the May 1st deadline would not be met
-recommend to Council that redistricting remain as is for the 1991
Regular Municipal Election; review in 1992 when the County and State
have completed their redistricting and certified census data is
available; redistricting to become effective six months prior to the
next regular municipal election in 1993.
City Clerk Crow stated City Attorney DeWitt had suggested the Election
Commission review the matter and make a recommendation to Council. He agreed
that the third option (status quo for 1991 election; redistrict in 1992) would
meet the charge of the Election Commission and could be defended if necessary.
MEMBER LAY MOVED, MEMBER WILSON SECONDED, THAT AS CORRECT CENSUS INFORMATION
WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL APRIL 1991 AND THE COUNTY AND STATE WILL BE
REDISTRICTING IN 1992, A RECOMMENDATION BE MADE TO CITY COUNCIL THAT CURRENT
DISTRICT LINES REMAIN IN PLACE FOR THE 1991 REGULAR MUNICIPAL ELECTION.
FURTHER, THAT APPORTIONMENT BE REVIEWED IN 1992.
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Election Conunission Meeting
January 22, 1991
Ayes:
Nays:
Motion carried.
Wilson, Warren, Lay, Crow
None
* * * * *
City Clerk Crow advised the Commission that notice of the Regular Municipal
Election, November 5, 1991, will be mailed to the polling places in March, the
election calendar will be prepared by June 1st, and packets for City Council
candidates will be ready by July 1st.
* * * * *
MEMBER LAY MOVED, MEMBER WILSON SECONDED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.
Ayes:
Nays:
Motion carried.
I
.• 1 Mµ£u1 D~City Clerk
Wilson, Warren, Lay, Crow
None
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