MEMORANDUM

 

TO:                  Mayor and Town Council

 

FROM:            Ralph D. Karpinos, Town Attorney

 

SUBJECT:      Technical Adjustments Town Voter Owned Election Program

 

DATE:                        March 23, 2009

 

PURPOSE

 

The attached ordinance would make technical, non-substantive adjustments to the Town’s Voter Owned Election Program at the request of the State Board of Elections.

 

BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION

 

On July 16, 2007, the North Carolina General Assembly ratified Session Law 2007-222 which authorized the Town of Chapel Hill to conduct a program for the public funding of municipal elections.  The Law requires that the program, once adopted, be reviewed and approved by the State Board of Elections.

 

Following enactment of the local act, the following steps took place:

  1. On November 12, 2007, the Town Council established a Council Committee to work on the development of a public financing program for Town elections.
  2. On April 14, 2008, the Committee presented its report to the Council.
  3. On May 14, 2008, the Council conducted a public hearing on the proposed program.
  4. On June 9, 2008, the Town council enacted an ordinance establishing the program.
  5. In the fall of 2008, the State Board of Elections reviewed the program and requested some adjustments and clarifications.
  6. On February 9, 2009 the Council called a hearing to receive public comment on the changes recommended by the Council Committee to address the concerns raised by the State Board.
  7. On February 23, 2009 the Council conducted a public hearing and enacted amendments to the Town’s Voter Owned Election Program.  These changes were subsequently submitted to the State Board of Elections.
  8. On March 16, 2009, the State Board of Elections met and requested technical, non-substantive changes.

The State Board has asked that references in the Ordinance to Board be indicated to be to the State Board.  These changes are highlighted in the attached ordinance.

 

NEXT STEPS

 

If enacted by the Council, the program revisions will be submitted to the State Board of Elections again for approval.

RECOMMENDATION

 

That the Council enact the attached ordinance.