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CITY OF SAN LEANDRO MEMORANDUM Date: October 2, 2006 To: City Council Rules and Communications Committee From: Marian Handa, City Clerk Subject: DISCUSSION REGARDING AMENDING THE CITY CHARTER TO RETURN TO PLURALITY ELECTIONS SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATION This report provides information to aid the Committee's discussion on majority versus plurality elections. It is recommended that the Committee review and discuss the topic and forward any recommendation to the full City Council. BACKGROUND On November 7, 2000, San Leandro voters approved Measure F, a Charter amendment which was placed on the ballot by the City Council at the request of a group of community leaders. Measure F amended the City Charter to require a candidate for Mayor or Council Member to receive at least 50% + 1 votes for that office to be elected. If no candidate receives at least 50% + 1 votes for the office, a run-off vote must be conducted to determine the person elected. ANALYSIS The passage of Measure F in November 2000 has resulted in two runoff elections for the City. The first was a runoff for the District 4 Council seat following the November 2004 General Municipal Election. It was held on February 8, 2005 as a stand alone, all -mail ballot election. The second runoff election has been called for November 7, 2006 and will involve the top two candidates for Mayor and City Council District 3. As a result of a change in the date of the City's General Municipal Election by the City Council from November to June of even - numbered years, this runoff election will be consolidated with the Statewide General Election. Based on the City's experience with these two runoff elections, one of which is currently underway, several issues have arisen. These issues prompted the City Council, at its meeting on July 17, 2006, to refer to the Rules and Communications Committee the matter of discussion regarding a possible return to plurality elections.