Newport Beach prepares city-run mail election

Newport Beach is preparing a stand-alone all-mail election for three city ballot initiatives after an OC Superior Court judge ordered the city to move ahead, according to Voice of OC.

The plan would put Newport Beach in charge of its own election for the first time in nearly half a century, while the Orange County Registrar has declined to help run the last-minute vote, Voice of OC reported.

OC Superior Court Judge Julianne Bancroft ordered Newport Beach to proceed with an election on three city initiatives, Voice of OC reported. The measures deal with city hall transparency, stricter term limits and moving City Council seats to district elections.

The city plans to administer the measures on a separate all-mail ballot, with no in-person vote centers, according to Voice of OC. Other Newport Beach elections, including City Council races and a housing-related ballot initiative, remain on the general election ballot.

OC Registrar Bob Page told city leaders in a letter that the timing limited what the county could do. "Several critical election deadlines are expiring or near expiration, further constraining the ability of the Registrar to administer any City-requested services," Page wrote, according to Voice of OC.

Page also warned county assistance could affect the broader election. "Requiring the County to develop and provide services in support of a stand-alone City election on the same date as the statewide general election would interfere with the Registrar’s ability to conduct the General Election and pose unacceptable risks," Page wrote, according to Voice of OC.

Newport Beach hired the Stellara Group, run by Jessica Blair, to help run the election, Voice of OC reported. Page said the city’s consultants were still seeking a certified vote-counting system, adding, "There’s too many voters in Newport Beach to qualify for a hand counting process."

City spokesperson Georgia Rios said the first military and overseas ballots were expected to be mailed by Friday, Voice of OC reported. As of Tuesday, the city was still waiting for a business reply permit from the U.S. Postal Service, whose website says authorization can take up to a week.

City leaders have appealed Bancroft’s decision to the California Supreme Court, while the California Secretary of State declined to comment to Voice of OC.