Registrar Clark's Policy Decision: Clarified by an Email Exchange

Danny,

I'm sorry if my message was not clear. As Registrar I have made a policy decision for my office not to conduct any instant run-off or preferential election until there are State laws to regulate. We have worked very hard over the past several years to bring a level of public confidence to this office. I do not think it would be advisable to undertake the conduct of a public election until there are established statewide legal procedures for its conduct.

We would not be able to lease any voting equipment to a city conducting its own election. We would be able to provide the following services to a city conducting its own election:
1. Precinct consolidations
2. Voter lists
3. Poll worker pool file
4. Polling place pool file
5. Voting booths (if available)
6. List of vendors who provide election services.

I hope this information is helpful.

Brad
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From: Wan, Danny[SMTP:[email protected]]
Sent: Friday, February 22, 2002 5:41 PM
To: '[email protected]'
Cc: Kernighan, Pat
Subject: Preferential voting

Brad,

Thank you for your voicemail reply. However, you did not actually answer my question, which is:

"Assuming that there is a special election in which only the City of Oakland is holding elections (or a district thereof) similar to the recent special election for City Council District 6 and further assuming the City has adopted in its charter or by ordinance a set of preferential voting procedures, will your office contract with the City to conduct the election on a preferential voting basis?"

Since Oakland is a charter city, we can establish our own election procedures. I do not quite understand why your office would be reluctant to contract with the City if there is no need to consolidate with other elections.

If you refuse to conduct a special election using preferential voting procedures established by the City, then would you at least be willing to lease whatever electronic voting equipment to the City?

I understand the procedural difficulties that would need to be worked through. However, given the continuing debate throughout the state and the country about election methods, I am hoping that we can all be open to discussing alternatives to accomplish policy goals. Therefore, I am a little confused by your definitive position that you will not conduct any form of preferential voting until the state establishes procedures even though charter cities have the power to set their own procedures. If there is any legal constraints that I am not aware of, please let me know.

Danny Wan
Oakland City Councilmember for District 2, 238-7002