Town requests county to consolidate Nov. 8 municipal election
By Vera Kochan
With another election day just three months away, the town of Moraga is gearing up for the filling of three town council seats. The terms of office for Mayor Steve Woehleke and Council Member Mike McCluer are set to expire in December. The third seat, currently occupied by Council Member Sona Makker who was appointed to fill the seat vacated by former Council Member David Stromberg, becomes open in accordance with Government Code 36512(b)(2)(A). Thus, potential candidates will either run to finish Stromberg's two-year term, or the two four-year terms opening up.
According to a staff report from Town Clerk Marty McInturf, by requesting the consolidation of this election with others that may be held in Contra Costa County, the town can take advantage of the many services the county provides with regards to preparing, printing and mailing ballots and voter information pamphlets, appointing precinct boards and designating polling places, conducting and canvassing the returns of the election and certifying the votes cast.
The last election cost the town $15,223. The Contra Costa County Elections Division notes that Moraga currently has 11,567 registered voters. The County Registrar of Voters expects the fee to run approximately $2.50 per voter this election making a potential cost of $28,917 (the funding is included in the proposed fiscal year 2022-23 budget) - if everyone votes. The town manager would reimburse the county for any actual costs incurred upon receipt of an invoice from election officials.
Each candidate will pay for their own voluntary Candidate's Statement which is limited to 250 words. The statements will include pertinent information for the voters about each individual such as name, age, occupation, education and qualifications. A statement filing fee of $379 is paid to the town by the candidate during the nomination period, which for the Nov. 8 election runs from July 18 through Aug. 12. If one of the incumbents does not file for re-election, the nomination period will be automatically extended to Aug. 17 for all except incumbents.
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