05-13-2020 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Considering the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for social distancing that is likely to continue for several more months, staff is recommending that the City of Little Canada not provide early in-person voting at City Hall for the 2020 Primary and General Elections. By opening City Hall to hundreds of additional people, there are great safety concerns for city staff, election judges, and voters, along with the other residents and customers that visit City Hall on a regular basis. Little Canada residents have other nearby locations if they choose to vote early, and the Ramsey County locations are open later in the evenings and on weekends. City Hall would still be available for residents to vote in-person Absentee beginning 46 days before each election, although staff would also recommend that all voting at City Hall end when Early Voting begins in order to reduce the number of people coming in City Hall and eliminate more voting confusion. City staff recommends not holding Early Voting at City Hall for both elections, but at minimum, not during the Primary Election in August. Staff will be making extra efforts for sharing election information on a regular basis to encourage early voter registration and absentee voting by mail, along with informing Precinct 1 residents of their polling place location change during the Primary Election. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff requests the Council discuss the following options for Early Voting during the 2020 Elections. Staff recommends the Council adopt a motion approving Option 1. Option 1:Do not hold Early Voting at Little Canada City Hall during the 2020 Primary and General Elections. Option 2:Do not hold Early Voting at Little Canada City Hall during the August 11, 2020 Primary Election. Option 3:Offer Early Voting at Little Canada City Hall during the 2020 Primary and General Elections