10/28/2002 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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• • COUNCIL MINUTES OCTOBER 28, 2002 Mayor Bergeson thanked Mr. Shannon for all the work he has done on behalf of the City. He noted the bond work is complicated and Mr. Shannon has provided guidance to the City. Impact of U.S. Senate Race on Municipal Election - Supplemental Ballot and Options for Absentee Votes, Ann Blair — City Clerk Blair explained that as a result of the tragic death of Senator Wellstone, all voters coming to the polls on election day will receive their ballots in two parts. The first will be the already -printed ballots, with an "X" marked through the U.S. Senate race. The second will be the Supplemental Ballot which contains only the U.S. Senate race. Voters will need to fill out both ballot parts if they wish to have the opportunity to vote in all races. All of the Supplemental Ballots will need to be counted by hand and the Accu -Vote machines will read the results of the other races. City Clerk Blair explained that the options for absentee voters is a bit more complex. If the absentee voters who voted for Senator Wellstone do nothing, their ballots will count in all races except for the U.S. Senate race. If they wish to have an opportunity to vote in theU S.'Senate race, at this time, according to the Secretary of State's Office and also Anoka County, they may recast their ballots by coming to the polls on election day. Voting at the polls on election day will void their previously -cast ballot. City Clerk Blair stated a question has been raised ahether or not there is a provision for re - voting via the absentee option. Initially, the Secretary of State's office reported the answer was "no." Now their official position is that "the law is unclear in this area, and we will let you know as soon as they know more." If the absentee voter wishes t=revote, the only sure way to do that is to come to the polls on election day. City Clerk Blair explained that for absentee voters who did not vote for Senator Wellstone, they need do nothing and their ballot will counts intende. Voters who have absentee ballots and/or plan to vote absentee at City Hall and wish to vote for a DFL candidate have two options. They can avail themselves of the "write in" option, hey;=can, if able, come to the polls on election day instead of voting absentee. For voters choosing to vote at the polls on election day instead of voting absentee, they will receive a ballot and a supplemental ballot at the polls, just as any other voter that day. The fact that they requested and received an absentee ballot will not prevent them from voting. It would be all right for these voters to bring their blank absentee ballots with them, but that is not mandatory. City Clerk Blair stated staff will continue to process absentee ballots. She encouraged anyone with questions to call City Hall or visit the Secretary of State's website. Councilmember Carlson asked about a ballot postmarked on election day but received after that day. City Clerk Blair stated the absentee ballot must be received by that date. Mayor Bergeson asked if anyone wished to address the Open Mike. • Don Dunn, 6885 Black Duck Road, stated he wanted to address the September 23, 2002 meeting during which Hodson Road discussions ensued. He stated he thinks the Council and staff are doing 3