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Elections

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1. Who administers the municipal election and under what authority?

The Signal Hill City Clerk administers all municipal elections in the City of Signal Hill under authority of Signal Hill City Charter Section 318(g).

2. Why are General Municipal Elections in Signal Hill held the first Tuesday in March of odd-numbered years?

Signal Hill City Charter Section 800 designates that the general municipal elections for elective officers of the City shall be held in odd-numbered years, on the first Tuesday in March. Candidates elected to office shall assume such office on the third Tuesday in March and serve until election and qualification of their successors.

3. What happens in the event of a tie vote?

Pursuant to Resolution No. 97-01-4725, adopted by the Signal Hill City Council on January 7, 1997, any ties in voting shall be settled by the conduct of a special runoff election. This election will be called and held on a Tuesday between 40 and 125 days of the general municipal election.

4. Where do I go to vote?

Your polling place location is printed on the back cover of your sample ballot booklet. Please check the polling place address for each election as locations often change. You may also call the City Clerk Department at (562) 989-7305, or check the polling place locator at www.lavote.net.

5. Who determines where polling places will be? How are polling places chosen? Why was my polling place changed?

Every residence in Signal Hill has been assigned a precinct number by the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. Once the precincts are determined, many are consolidated or grouped together for an election. Polling places are selected based on the following criteria:
• The number of registered voters in each precinct.
• The number of voters a polling place is able to handle.
• Distance the voter must travel to the polling place.
• Availability of the polling place.
• Accessibility of the polling place to voters with disabilities.
• Complaints received about a polling place.
• Comfort of the precinct officers (heat, restrooms, etc.)

The City Clerk Department makes every effort to use the same polling places for each election. As noted above, sometimes it is not possible to keep the same polling place. Therefore, it is important that you check the back of your Sample Ballot Booklet for your polling place location.

6. Who is running for office?

The Election link on the city website has a listing of candidates who file for city office. The candidate information is available as soon as the candidate qualifies.

7. What hours are the polls open on Election Day?

The polls open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m. Anybody in line at the close of polls is entitled to vote.

8. What is electioneering?

California Elections Code Section 319.5 defines electioneering as the visible display or audible dissemination of information that advocates for or against any candidate or measure on the ballot within 100 feet of a polling place, or the elections official's office. Prohibited electioneering information includes, but is not limited to, any of the following:
(a) A display of a candidate's name, likeness, or logo.
(b) A display of a ballot measure's number, title, subject, or logo.
(c) Buttons, hats, pencils, pens, shirts, signs, or stickers containing electioneering information.
(d) Dissemination of audible electioneering information.

In addition, Elections Code Section 18370 states that no person, on election day, or at any time that a voter may be casting a ballot, shall, within 100 feet of a polling place, or the elections official's office:
(a) Circulate an initiative, referendum, recall, or nomination petition or any other petition.
(b) Solicit a vote or speak to a voter on the subject of marking his or her ballot.
(c) Place a sign relating to voters' qualifications or speak to a voter on the subject of his or her qualifications except as provided in Section 14240 (challenge of a voter).
(d) Do any electioneering as described above.

As used in this section, "100 feet of a polling place, or an elections official's office" means a distance 100 feet from the room or rooms in which voters are signing the roster and casting ballots. Any person who violates any of the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.

9. Am I required to show I.D. at the poll?

No. There is no provision in the California Elections Code requiring a voter to show identification.

10. Who is eligible to vote?

Any Signal Hill resident 18 and over, or who will be 18 at the time of the next election is eligible to register and vote.

11. Who may register to vote?/When may I register to vote?

A person entitled to register to vote shall be a United States citizen, a resident of California, not in prison or on parole for the conviction of a felony, and at least 18 years of age at the time of the next election (California Elections Code Section 2101).

12. When does registration close?

A properly executed Voter Registration Form must be received by the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk on or before the 15th day prior to an election to be held in the registrant’s precinct (California Elections Code Section 2102).

13. How may I register to vote?/Where can I find voter registration forms?

You may register by completing a voter registration form available in most government offices, including city halls, libraries, DMVs, and post offices. You may also register online at http://www.registertovote.ca.gov.

14. May I register to vote using my business address or a P.O. Box?

No. A person may only register to vote at his/her place of residence. A business address or a P.O. Box number may only be used as a mailing address.

15. Do I have to re-register for each election?/When is it necessary to re-register?

You are registered to vote as long as you remain at the same address, and you should continue to receive election materials in the mail. You must re-register when you move, change your name, or wish to change your political party affiliation.

16. How can I find out if I’m registered to vote?

Log on to www.lavote.net. You will need to supply your name, date of birth, house number, and ZIP Code.

17. I just moved and did not re-register. Will I be eligible to vote?

If you were previously registered within the City of Signal Hill and moved within the City’s boundaries, you can vote at the polling place for your new address. You will be required to vote by provisional ballot and this will be provided to the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk as your change of address.

18. Is the information I provide on my voter registration form available to the public?

Voter registration information is available to the public (with the exception of any unique identifiers such as California driver’s license/identification number, social security number, etc.) pursuant to California Elections Code Section 2188, except for those persons who qualify for confidential status pursuant to California Elections Code Section 2166, 2166.5, and 2166.7.

19. May someone help me vote?

Yes. When a voter declares under oath, administered by any member of the precinct board at the time the voter appears at the polling place to vote, that the voter is unable to mark a ballot, the voter shall receive the assistance of not more than two persons selected by the voter, other than the voter’s employer, an agent of the voter’s employer, or an officer or agent of the union of which the voter is a member.

It is our goal to have all of our polling places accessible to the physically handicapped. If a voter cannot get inside the polling place, the voter may request to vote curbside. A poll worker will bring a ballot and marking device outside and assist the voter in casting a ballot. Please see California Elections Code Section 14282 for further information. The California Elections Code is available at http://www.leginfo.ca.gov.