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CITY COUNCIL <br />AGENDA ITEM 3B <br /> <br /> <br />STAFF ORIGINATOR: Jeff Karlson <br /> <br />MEETING DATE: September 24, 2018 <br /> <br />TOPIC: Temporary Employee for Early Voting <br /> <br />VOTE REQUIRED: 3/5 <br /> <br /> <br />INTRODUCTION <br /> <br />The City Council is being asked to approve hiring an election judge the final three weeks of <br />early absentee balloting prior to this year’s general election. <br /> <br />BACKGROUND <br /> <br />Early “no excuse” absentee balloting has grown in popularity since the state allowed it in 2013. <br />This is a busy election year with an open senator and governor’s race, and other statewide, <br />congressional, and legislative districts on the ballot. It was reported that early voting in this <br />year’s primary election set a record. <br /> <br />Absentee voting for the general election starts September 21. Given what we saw two years ago <br />during the presidential general election, staff expects to see a substantial number of voters in <br />city hall to vote early. The increase in absentee balloting has made it increasingly difficult for <br />staff to handle in a systematic manner. <br /> <br />Staff is proposing the City utilize a head election judge the final three weeks before the election <br />to augment the absentee voting process at a cost of approximately $1,200 ($10/hour), which <br />would be funded through the Contingency Fund. Two head election judges are very interested <br />in assisting with early voting. Other cities have also taken extra measures to accommodate <br />absentee voters. <br /> <br />RECOMMENDATION <br /> <br />Staff is recommending approval of $1,200 from the Contingency Fund for early voting. <br /> <br /> <br />