grvnc archives

[grvnc] Update: Special Election Results

Grass Roots Venice Neighborhood Council Update
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Thank you to all stakeholders who came to the 
special election!  The 460 person turnout
says alot about how much Venetians care about
their Neighborhood Council.  

Six of the seven ballot measures passed, the
prohibition on "absentee balloting" not gaining
enough votes to amend the bylaws. However, it
did come very close to passing and so I feel
the need to write a few words about this. 

Last year's absentee voting has been criticized
but the GRVNC Board has improved the process 
for this year. I also feel the need to address
the appearent perceptions surrounding
last years election as well.

The so called "third party" ballot requests 
that were utilized last year are no longer 
possible.  That is, some candidates last year 
contacted likely Venice voters and, after asking 
them if they would like an absentee ballot, 
submitted their name for them.  However, this 
year the voter needs actually to sign a ballot 
request with their name and address and then
this request must be mailed directly to the League 
of Women Voters.  Also, it is not possible to 
request an absentee ballot over email this year.  
This will eliminate third party requests.
(Send an email to vote.by.mail@grvnc.org for
instructions on writing to obtain an absentee
ballot.)

Also, absentee ballot voters will now have to undergo
the same level of verification as Election Day
voters, unlike last year.  (However, it is important 
to note that 87% of all absentee ballots from last 
year were mailed to zip codes 90291 and 90292 and 
so those stakeholders' addresses were validated by the

US Postal Service.)

I believe that these steps will ensure a more reliable
vote-by-mail component to the election this year.

So now, the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment 
is aware of the election results and has requested the

GRVNC board to vote to amend the bylaws before any
changes will become effective.

Read the details of the Special Election results
below!

Tom

***********
 CONTENTS
***********

1. Special Election Results
2. Candidates / Election Information Meeting
3. Venice Carnevale

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Special Election Summary:  

With about 460 votes cast, all provisions 
of the Special Election passed with over 
2/3 except the prohibition on "absentee voting."

Details:

1.ban on volunteer members, "work" is only for pay:
313 YES, 114 NO (73.3%)

2.credential required at elections:
315 YES, 112 NO (73.7%)

3.raising minimum age to 18
299 YES, 127 NO (70.1%)

4.list of credentials
311 YES, 112 NO (73.5%)

5. only people who live or own property in district
may vote in district election
310 YES, 114 NO (73.1%)

6.requiring 2/3 vote of board and majority of
stakeholders to change election procedures
303 YES, 118 NO (71.9%)

7.prohibition on absentee voting
275 YES, 145 NO (65.4%)

Details on the initiative language:
http://grvnc.org/NewSite/organizing/BYLAWS%20CHANGE-short[1].htm

Which seek to modify the current bylaws:
http://grvnc.org/NewSite/GRVNC_bylaws_17apr03.htm


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Election and Candidates' Information Meeting

3:00PM
Saturday, May 8
Venice Library
501 S Venice Blvd.

Come for information about the June 27 GRVNC 
Election.  The Election Procedures will be explained,
and copies of those and the bylaws will be given out.
Questions will be answered about the duties of those
who get elected to the board, vote by mail 
procedures, election day procedures and you will also
be encouraged to run for office!

The last day to declare yourself a candidate and be on

the printed ballot is May 27.  After that, you will 
have to convince alot of people in Venice to write 
your name in.  For information on becoming a 
candidate, email candidates@grvnc.org.

For auto-response instructions on voting by mail,
send an email to vote.by.mail@grvnc.org.
All other questions may be sent to
elections@grvnc.org.


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Venice Carnevale

Satuday, May 15, 2004

12 Noon 'till 10PM
At Main and Windward 
One Block East if the Venice Boardwalk

Last year's colorful costumed festival at the beach,
inspired by the famed Italian Carnevale, returns 
bigger and better this year.  Performances all day 
with a costume competition and dancing in the evening.

If you missed out on last year's revelry or want 
to get a head start on this year's event,
souvenir T-shirts and posters are still available.

http://carnevale.us/




	
		
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