TO: AC Transit Board of Directors
FROM: Linda A. Nemeroff, District Secretary
SUBJECT: Review of Board Policy 140
ACTION ITEM
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
Title
Consider review of Board Policy 140 - Candidates Statement of Qualification Costs with no recommended amendments.
Staff Contact:
Linda Nemeroff, Board Administrative Officer/District Secretary
Body
STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE:
The act of amending this policy has no strategic importance.
BUDGETARY/FISCAL IMPACT:
Except for the deposit paid by candidates, the District pays the entire cost to typeset, translate, print, bind and mail printed candidates' statements that appear in the voter guide or pamphlet. It is difficult to estimate costs at this time without knowing 1) the number of candidates; and 2) which candidates will want to submit a candidate statement. For reference, in 2024, the Ward 6 race was the only race on ballot. The total cost to the District to typeset, translate, print, bind and mail the candidate's statements was $10,590 and total deposits received from the three candidates was $2,250. Assuming that there will be five contests on the November 2026 ballot, the cost could increase significantly for the upcoming election cycle. There is no cost to the District if one or more individuals run unopposed.
BACKGROUND/RATIONALE:
The Board is required to review Board Policy 140 biennially, in non-election years. Among other things, this policy sets forth the fees that will be charged to candidates running for elective office on the AC Transit Board of Directors associated with the publication of a candidate's statement.
On December 13, 2023, the Board adopted an ordinance to transition away from at-large elections in favor of a seven-ward District. Since at-large seats will not be on the ballot going forward and because the size of each of the wards is smaller (with fewer registered voters), the Board decided in January 2024 to reduce the deposit candidates must pay for a candidate ...
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