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l\llNUTES City of San Leandro City Council and San Leandro Redevelopment Agency Joint Meeting~May 3,2004 Page 13 Councilmember Stephens expressed concern that if the election cycle was changed as proposed, a candidate could win election in March but would not be able to take office until the following January. Vice Mayor Glaze expressed concern regarding the inconsistencies created by the run-off provision in the Charter as well as the cost of conducting a run-off election and suggested the Council consider a Charter amendnlent to revert back to "winner take all" elections. Councilmember Santos commented that the proposed change to the election cycle would result in increased costs to candidates who would have to campaign twice in the same year. He also expressed concerns about campaign signs left up for Inonths. He suggested an instant run-off election as a possible solution. Mayor Young commented that the lun-off amendment sounded like a good idea at the tilne. She agreed with the Vice Mayor that it has become problematic to inlplement. Councilmember Nardine asked the date by when the Council would need to place a Charter amendment on the ballot to change the run-off provision. Ms. Handa recommended that the Council take action to place the item on the ballot no later than July 6. Ms. Williams noted that the next Rules and Communications COlnlnittee nleeting will be held on May 19. Councilmember Stephens comnlented that the difficulties with a run-off election seem to be so great that he would favor going back to a "winner take all" election. He also requested a report on instant run-off voting and how the provision might be implemented. Ms. Handa noted that currently there is no system certified by the State to allow the conduct of an instant run-off election. Mayor Young asked which method for conducting the run-off election would be the least expensive. Ms. Handa replied that the all-Inail ballot option was about one-half the cost of a precinct election, or about $65,000. Vice Mayor Glaze noted that Councilmember Badger had expressed great reservations about introducing an unfarniliar method of voting for the run-off. He stated that due to the City's current fiscal constraints, the mailed ballot option makes more sense. Vice Mayor Glaze suggested the Council consider two Charter amendments: one to clean up the inconsistencies in the commencement of terms of office and one to return to "winner take all," or plurality, elections. If the second anlendment fails, the Council could consider changing the election cycle to the Primary/General Election concept. Mayor Young noted that a significant percentage of San Leandro voters already vote by mailed ballot, which is another reason that the mailed ballot would be the best approach.