Chapter 3.20
EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES
Sections:
3.20.010 Booths and ballot boxes.
3.20.050 Ballots—Printing, inspection and distribution.
3.20.070 Precinct register list—Distribution to precinct officials.
3.20.010 Booths and ballot boxes.
The city clerk shall provide booths at the polling places, with appropriate supplies and conveniences to enable each voter to mark his/her ballot screened from observation. At least three sides of each booth shall be enclosed. Ballot boxes shall be placed outside of the voting booths within plain view of the judges and clerks, voters and other persons at the polling places. (Ord. 86-9 § 1, 1986.)
3.20.020 Voter instructions.
The clerk shall prepare instructions explaining to voters how to obtain ballots, how to mark them, how to obtain information from election officials, how to obtain new ballots to replace those destroyed or spoiled, and assistance available to language minorities and handicapped voters. These instructions shall be printed in large, clear type and shall be distributed to the election boards to be prominently displayed in each polling place. (Ord. 86-9 § 1, 1986.)
3.20.030 Ballots—Form.
A. Ballots shall be prepared in the manner prescribed for State elections insofar as such requirements are applicable to non-partisan elections. The ballots shall be numbered in series, the number being placed in an area set off by perforations for ease of removal and on a portion of the ballot that can be seen when the manner in which the ballot is marked is concealed from view.
B. All candidates for the same office shall be shown on one ballot. The title of each office to be filled shall be followed by the printed names of all candidates for that office and provisions shall be made for write-ins equal in number to the positions to be filled. The names of candidates shall be printed as they appear on the declaration of candidacy, except that any honorary or assumed title or prefix shall be omitted, but may include in the candidate’s name any nickname or form of a proper name of the candidate. The words “vote for not more than __________” with the appropriate number replacing the blank, shall be placed before the lists of candidates for each office.
C. Following the offices and candidates, there shall be placed on the ballot, or on separate ballots as the clerk may determine, all propositions or questions to be voted on. The words “yes” and “no” shall be placed below the statement of each proposition or question. All ballot propositions shall be stated in a concise and clear language to avoid verbosity and with the object of informing and advising the voter of the issue in a clear and forthright manner. All ballot propositions shall be stated in the affirmative and not the negative, so that a “yes” vote will always mean that the voter approves of the affirmative of a position and not the negative; and a no vote disapproves the affirmative statement of an issue. Ballot propositions shall not be used to obtain a negative result by the casting of a yes vote. Simple sentences and words shall be used in preference to complex or compound sentences and words with the object of making ballot propositions understandable to the average reader.
D. Each ballot shall bear the words “Official Ballot” and the date of the election. (Ord. 86-9 § 1, 1986; Ord. 03-05 § 1 (part), 2003.)
3.20.050 Ballots—Printing, inspection and distribution.
A. In all municipal elections, the city clerk will be responsible for the printing of ballots. The clerk shall determine the number of ballots to be used to present all offices, propositions, and questions to the qualified voter.
B. The clerk shall have the ballots in his/her possession at least fifteen days before each regular election and ten days before each special election. At that time, the ballots may be inspected by any candidate whose name is on the ballot or by his/her authorized agent and any discovered mistake shall be corrected immediately.
C. Prior to election day, sufficient ballots for the registered voters of each precinct shall be delivered to the election board for that precinct. The ballots shall be delivered in a separate sealed package with the number of ballots enclosed clearly marked on the outside of the package. A receipt shall be taken from the election board member to whom each package is delivered in person or by mail. (Ord. 86-9 § 1, 1986.)
3.20.060 Sample ballots.
A. The city clerk will have a number of sample ballots printed. The sample ballots will be printed on tinted paper and clearly labeled as a sample ballot. At least one day before the election, the city clerk shall cause to be posted at the polling place and in at least three public places in the city specimen ballots with instructions to voters.
B. In the event of a shortage of official ballots, the election board may utilize unmarked sample ballots in order to allow qualified voters to cast a ballot. The necessity of such use shall be addressed as an attachment to the election certificate by the election board. (Ord. 86-9 § 1, 1986.)
3.20.070 Precinct register list—Distribution to precinct officials.
Prior to the opening of the polls, the city clerk shall deliver a precinct register and a list of voters supplied absentee ballots to the election officials. The register will provide sufficient space to enable voters to sign their name and enter residential and mailing addresses. A record shall be kept in the register of the names of persons who offer to vote but are refused, and a brief statement of the basis for the refusal. The signing of the register constitutes a declaration by the voter that he/she is qualified to vote. (Ord. 86-9 § 1, 1986.)