Notice of Change in Election Date as Mandated by SB415
On September 1, 2015, Governor Jerry Brown approved Senate Bill No. 415 (SB415), the California Voter Participation Rights Act. SB415 prohibits a local government from holding an election other than on a statewide election date if holding an election on a nonconcurrent date has previously resulted in a significant decrease in voter turnout.
Given that the City of Foster City has experienced a significant decrease in voter turnout on nonconcurrent election dates, to comply with SB415, the City Council, unanimously, adopted Ordinance No. 604 to bring the City of Foster City into compliance by November 2018. On February 28, 2017, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors provided its approval, allowing the Foster City General Municipal Election to be changed from the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of odd-numbered years to the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of even-numbered years, to coincide with the Statewide General Elections. As such, the regularly-scheduled November 2017 and 2019 elections will be moved to November 2018 and 2020, respectively, extending all current elected officials' terms by 1 year.
To abide by legal obligations, the City of Foster City sent out a notice within 30 days of Board approval to all registered voters in the City informing them of the change in the General Municipal Election date and the Councilmembers' terms affected by the ordinance, per Election Code 10403.5(e).
The next scheduled General Municipal Election for Foster City is November 6, 2018.
The City Clerk is the Elections Official for the City. The role of the City Clerk in legislative and elective processes requires neutrality and independence as key qualities in conducting the business of the Office. Elections include General Municipal Elections, Various Ballot Measures, the nomination process for Council Candidates, the Processing of Initiatives and Petitions, Referendums, Recalls, and Special Elections.
You can find more information regarding elections at www.shapethefuture.org or contact Foster City Election Official Doris Palmer.
