The Election Ride PBCMCA Election Manual Review November 30, 2016 - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

“The Election Ride” PBCMCA Election Manual Review November 30, 2016 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. David B. Farber Training Center 1050 B Royal Palm Beach Boulevard, Royal Palm Beach, FL 1

 T oday we will venture into - ◦ Where do I begin? ◦ How does this whole election thing work? ◦ What is your role? ◦ Agreement with County SOE ◦ Election Calendar ◦ Candidate Packet ◦ Legal Notices 2

 T oday we will venture into - ◦ Secure Polling Locations ◦ Secure Poll Workers – Retain alternates ◦ Coordinate Poll Worker Training with SOE staff ◦ Candidate Qualifying ◦ Poll Watchers ◦ Campaign Financing ◦ Political Advertising 3

 T oday we will venture into - ◦ Canvassing Board ◦ What to expect on Election Day ◦ Post Election / Wrap Up ◦ Q&A 4

Where do I begin?  First, know that you can do this !  Secondly, you must know the contents of your municipal Charter and Code as it relates to your election  When shall your election to be held?  When is your qualifying period?  Do either address advertising requirements?  What other elements of the election process is governed by your Code of Ordinances that may be different from Florida Election Laws? 5

How does this whole election thing work?  Advance preparation is key  Start working on your election four to five months, or more, out from the date of your election  Take your time in preparing everything  If you have questions, use your resources to find the answers 6

What is your role?  Serve as Supervisor of Elections and Filing Officer for your municipality ◦ Performs ministerial function in reviewing qualifying papers ◦ Shall NOT determine whether the contents of qualifying papers are accurate ◦ Review qualifying papers for completeness Chapter 1 7

Agreement with County Supervisor of Elections (SOE)  Defines responsibilities of each party  Outlines associated costs  Must accompany an Ordinance or Resolution  Must contain:  Authority for SOE to conduct the municipal election  Define members of your canvassing board Do not anticipate receipt of the agreement until November or December of each year Chapter 2 8

Election Calendar  This calendar should include dates for: ◦ The Election ◦ Advertising ◦ Resign-To-Run ◦ Qualifying Period ◦ Ballot Question ◦ Sample Ballot Publication ◦ Voter Registration Closing ◦ Campaign Treasurer’s Reporting ◦ Contribution Deadline Chapter 5 9

Election Calendar Continued  This calendar should include dates for: ◦ Expenditure Deadline ◦ State Assessment Fee Deadline ◦ Poll Watchers ◦ Notification of annexations subsequent to your last election ◦ L&A Testing for the General and Run-off Elections ◦ Delivery/Pickup of election equipment to/from polling locations ◦ Pick up of Precinct Clerk bags ◦ Post Election Audit for the General and Run-off Elections Chapter 5 10

Election Calendar Continued  Now, that’s a lot of dates!  Can easily be calculated ◦ With assistance of the PBCMCA Election Manual (Chapter 5), and ◦ Using an on-line tool to add/subtract dates at http://www.timeanddate.com/date/dateadd. html Chapter 5 11

Candidate Packet  What to include? ◦ A compilation of documents that the candidate will need to further their candidacy and understand applicable laws  Basic information should include:  DS-DE 9; Appointment of Campaign Treasurer and Designation of Campaign Depository for Candidates  DS-DE 84; Statement of Candidate (file within 10 days of filing DS-DE 9)  DS-DE25; Candidate Oath - Nonpartisan Office  Form 1; Statement of Financial Interests (this form can be downloaded from the Florida Commission on Ethics) Chapter 9 12

Candidate Packet Continued  What to include?  Basic information should include continued:  Candidate and Campaign Treasurer Handbook  Campaign Treasurer's Reporting Schedule  Campaign Treasurer's Reporting Forms:  DS-DE 12; Report Summary  DS-DE 13; Itemized Contributions  DS-DE 14; Itemized Expenditures  DS-DE 87; Waiver of Report  DS-DE 2; Contributions Returned  DS-DE 86; Request for Return of Contributions  DS-DE 125; Designation of Poll Watchers Chapter 9 13

Candidate Packet Continued  What to include? ◦ Additional suggested information:  Affidavit of Undue Burden (if applicable)  Acknowledgement of Certification of L&A  Canvassing Board Meetings, Schedule  List of Precincts and Polling Locations  Polling Location Rules  Florida and Municipal Laws governing Campaign Signs  Compilation of Election Laws Chapter 9 14

Candidate Packet Continued  What to include? ◦ Additional suggested information continued:  Florida Commission on Ethics Guide to the Sunshine Amendment and Code of Ethics for Public Officers and Employees  Gifts Law  Palm Beach County Code of Ethics and Ethics Pledge  Municipal Charter and Code governing Elections  Municipal Charter and Code governing responsibilities of elected officials Chapter 9 15

Candidate Packet Continued  What to include? ◦ Additional suggested information continued:  How to file a complaint of alleged violation of Election Laws  Petition process, include form DS-DE 104, Candidate Petition  How to obtain an EIN Chapter 9 16

Legal Notices  State Law governs legal notices to be in both English and Spanish  State Law governs legal notice for qualifying and election dates shall be published, in a newspaper of general circulation in each county, twice within 30 days prior to beginning of qualifying  State Law governs Sample Ballot shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the county, prior to the day of election Chapter 6 17

Legal Notices Continued  State Law governs Special Election or Referendums be published at least twice, one in the 5 th week prior to the election and again in the 3 rd week prior to the election VERY SPECIFIC, MUST PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO PUBLICATION DATES! Chapter 6 18

WOW! LOOK WHAT YOU’VE ACCOMPLISHED!  Election Calendar  Candidate Packets  Legal Notices 19

NOW WHAT?  Secure Polling Locations  Secure Poll Workers – Retain alternates  Coordinate Poll Worker Training with SOE staff Prepare for Candidate Qualifying Chapters 7 & 8 20

Qualifying Candidates  Prepare a checklist ◦ Candidate’s selected seat/position ◦ Required forms ◦ Required Fees ◦ Proof of Residency/Registered Voter Card (if applicable) ◦ At close of qualifying, submit list of qualified candidates to SOE ◦ Process State Assessment Fee Chapter 10 21

Poll Watchers  Appointed by candidate  Must be a registered voter of the County in which they are a poll watcher  Each candidate is allowed to have one watcher at each polling place at any one time  Poll watchers must be approved by the SOE at least 7 days prior to the election Chapter 11 22

Campaign Financing CAMPAIGN CRAP!!! 23

Campaign Financing Continued Chapter 12 24

Campaign Financing Continued  Reporting Forms – Campaign finance reports are submitted on Division of Elections forms. A typical report will consist of: ◦ Form DS- DE 12, Campaign Treasurer’s Report Summary ◦ Form DS- DE 13, Campaign Treasurer’s Report – Itemized Contributions ◦ Form DS- DE 14, Campaign Treasurer’s Report – Itemized Expenditures or ◦ Form DS-DE87, Waiver of Report Chapter 12 25

Campaign Financing Continued  Reports ◦ Filing Officer/Municipal SOE required to review reports for completeness and accuracy  Not required to validate content of report relating to names and addresses of contributor or expenditure, and contributor type/occupation  Incomplete Reports ◦ Notify treasurer of errors within 7 days of receiving report Chapter 12 26

Campaign Financing Continued  Late Filing of Reports  Must notify candidate immediately  Subject to State assessed fine(s) determined by filing officer  Fine(s) to be paid by candidate’s personal funds, not campaign funds Chapter 12 27

Campaign Financing Continued  Penalty for Late Reports (based on each reporting period) ◦ $50 per day for the first three days late and, thereafter, $500 per day for each late day, not to exceed 25 percent of the total receipts or expenditures, whichever is greater Chapter 12 28

Campaign Financing Continued  Penalty for Late Reports (based on each reporting period) Continued ◦ Except for reports immediately preceding each primary, general, or special election the fine is $500 per day for each late day, not to exceed 25 percent of the total receipts or expenditures, whichever is greater Chapter 12 29

Campaign Financing Continued  Penalty for Late Reports (based on each reporting period) Continued ◦ Final reports, if late, shall incur a fine of $50 for each day late not to exceed 25% of contributions or expenditures (whichever is greater) and it does not increase to $500 after the 3 rd day late. Chapter 12 30