| AGENDA ITEM #: 12. DATE: 04/12/2021 |
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CITY COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
| SUBJECT: | ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES ON CANDIDATE PETITIONS |
| STAFF PRESENTER(S): | Darcie McCracken, City Clerk |
SUMMARY:
Requesting consideration for approval to register the city of Goodyear in the Secretary of State's (SOS) E-Qual program allowing for electronic signature gathering on candidate petitions beginning with the 2022 elections.
Recommendation:
Staff recommends utilization of the Secretary of State's E-Qual system to electronically obtain voter signatures on candidate petitions beginning with the 2022 elections. (Darcie McCracken, City Clerk)
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact related to using the SOS E-Qual system.
BACKGROUND AND PREVIOUS ACTIONS:
The SOS has created an application, E-Qual, to allow voters to electronically sign candidate petitions.
STAFF ANALYSIS
The next Goodyear candidate election is the Primary scheduled for August 2, 2022. Candidates for Mayor and Councilmember are required to obtain a minimum of 510 signatures. The nomination papers, financial disclosure statement and petitions must be submitted to the City Clerk between March 7, 2022 and April 4, 2022.
The E-Qual system is voluntary and allows candidates to obtain all, part, or none of the signatures using the system. Once a voter signs up to use the system, they are shown any races and petitions that they are eligible to sign. Since the voter is verified as a qualified elector at the time they register to use the system, the SOS has stated that any signatures obtained using E-Qual would be valid.
Prior to obtaining signatures, candidates must complete the Statement of Interest, which can also be done using the system.
The E-Qual system is voluntary and allows candidates to obtain all, part, or none of the signatures using the system. Once a voter signs up to use the system, they are shown any races and petitions that they are eligible to sign. Since the voter is verified as a qualified elector at the time they register to use the system, the SOS has stated that any signatures obtained using E-Qual would be valid.
Prior to obtaining signatures, candidates must complete the Statement of Interest, which can also be done using the system.