Minutes - 2010/05/24 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council � May 24, 2010 Regular Meeting Page 13 . November 2, 2010. Both elections for all four (4) precincts will be conducted at the Mounds View Community Center from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Assistant Clerk-Administrator Crane indicated there has been a great deal of changes made with regard to absentee ballots. Section 203B.23 of the Minnesota Election Law, requires the City to establish an Absentee Ballot Board by Resolution. The purpose of the Absentee Ballot Board (ABB) is to allow election judges to reject or accept absentee ballots that are received within 45 days of the election. The election law has changed for 2010, and the City is now required to convene an ABB every five days to accept and reject absentee ballots, and at least once every three days during the two (2) weeks before the election. Staff recommends approval of 7618, establishing the Absentee Ballot Board for the 2010 Primary and General Election. Staff has an added a provision to the resolution which authorizes the City Administrator to appoint additional election judges to serve on the ABB should there be a need. Members of the ABB Board would be Clerk-Administrator Ericson, Planning Associate Heller, Mary Springer and Assistant Clerk-Administrator Crane. Mayor Flaherty questioned if the government would be providing the proper programs or templates to track the absentee ballots. Assistant Clerk-Administrator Crane explained Ramsey County was providing direction and templates. Council Member Mueller asked how many absentee ballots were received each year. Assistant • Clerk-Administrator Crane stated the City could have over 800 absentee ballots in a presidential election year. She explained the City had a very high voter rate at almost 80%. Council Member Mueller questioned if residents could serve on the ABB to reduce the workload being placed on staff. Assistant Clerk-Administrator Crane stated the members serving on this committee must be a trained election judge and the Board will be approved each year. Mayor Flaherty suggested staff seek additional volunteers for future years to assist staff with this new program. Clerk-Administrator Ericson stated using staff would save money in the long run due to the frequency the Board would need to meet. Council Member Gunn agreed it would be difficult to call in election judges based on the random schedule when absentee ballots were received. Council Member Stigney asked how ABB members would be paid if volunteers were used. Assistant Clerk-Administrator stated the volunteers were paid $8.00 per hour. She explained the volunteers have not attended the training and do not have a great deal of computer knowledge which would be important in tracking the absentee ballots. MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Gunn. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 7618, Establishing the Absentee Ballot Board for the 2010 Primary and General Elections. • Council Member Mueller requested the Council review the staffing for future years so see if