HomeMy WebLinkAboutVI (B) Discussion/ Action re: Changing Municipal Election Date to the 2nd Tuesday in March Agenda 9-2-97
Ocoee , City of Ocoee Item VI B
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�� Jean Grafton
0 150 NORTH LAKESHORE DRIVE City Clerk
��s 0 OCOEE, FLORIDA 34761-2258
'F*of Goo`, (407)656-2322
FAX(407)656-5725
MEMORANDUM
To: The Honorable Mayor and City Commission
From: Jean Grafton, City Clerk
Date: August 26, 1997
Re: Municipal Election Date
As noted in the attached letter, in the ongoing saga of the wandering election date for Orange
County cities, SOE Cowles has advised that Belle Isle, Orlando, and Winter Garden have
already initiated action to move their election day to the Presidential Preference Primary date
(2"d Tuesday in March with run-off elections, if necessary, on the 2"d Tuesday in April). The
advantage of the savings by piggy-backing at least once every fourth year, joined with the
obvious benefit of the enhanced media hype if all the cities are involved in elections on a
uniform date, make this an attractive option to consider.
If you would like to move forward with this, please direct staff to prepare an ordinance
changing the election dates to the 2"d Tuesday in March with a run-off election, if necessary,
on the 2"d Tuesday in April. This direction will include extending the existing terms
appropriately. A first reading can be scheduled for September 16 and second reading/public
hearing for October 7.
"PRIDE OF WEST ORANGE"
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BILL COWLES / 9 OUR MISSION IS TO:
Supervisor of Elections o \/O T Ensure the integrity of the electoral process.
m Enhance public confidence.
Orange County, Florida o . Encourage citizen participation.
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The Honorable S. Scott Vandergrift August 22, 1997
Mayor, City of Ocoee
150 Lakeshore Drive
Ocoee, 34761
Dear ICA rgrift:
I am pleased to share with you the news that the City of Orlando, at its next City Council meeting
on Monday, August 25, will have its first reading of a new ordinance changing Orlando's
election date to the second Tuesday in March with any runoff election to be held on the second
Tuesday in April. As you know, after meeting with you and the other mayors over the past
several months, this was the date deemed most popular for a uniform municipal election day.
I want to congratulate the cities of Belle Isle and Winter Garden who have already had their first
readings of new ordinances changing their elections to the same uniform date. I realize that
others have been waiting to see what Orlando would do. It is my sincerest hope that now you
will agree to move your election to the second Tuesday in March, giving all city voters one
uniform day for going to the polls and selecting their municipal representatives.
I have enclosed a copy of Orlando's proposed ordinance. You may want to pay particular
attention to how they addressed the issue of absentee ballots. This might be an excellent time to
examine your charter to see how it relates to state election laws.
As always, if I can assist you in any way, don't hesitate to call on me. I am excited about what's
happening with city elections and I am looking forward to working closely with you and your
staff to make a uniform municipal election day a success in Orange County.
cerely,
Bi Cowles
Supervisor of Elections
BC/med
Enc: Ordinance, City of Orlando
cc: The Honorable Glenda Hood, Mayor of Orlando
The Honorable Charles Scott, Mayor of Belle Isle
The Honorable Jack Quesinberry, Mayor of Winter Garden
All City Clerks
119 West Kaley Street, Orlando - Reply to: Post Office Box 562001, Orlando, Florida 32856
Phone(407)836-2070 • Fax(407) 317-7633 - TDD (407)422-4833 - Internet: www.ocfelections.com