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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-08-25 08-290 ORDERItem No, 08 190 Date: 08/28/08 Item/Subject: ORDER, Suppomng certain measures to ensure the Integrity of tine upcoming General Election, to include the prohibition of in-person absentee voting on Monday, November 3, 2008 and the dreure of the City Clerk's office to all transactions except those relating to voting on Tuesday, November 4, 2006. Responsible Department. Clty Clerk Commentary: In recent legislative sesslons, lawmakers approved several changes to state election law. Municipalities have been ghren the option of accepting absentee ballot requests by email, and I have opted m participate in that program. In addition, munidpalities have been give the option of processing absentee ballots on the clay before the election. Due to the anticipated heavy absentee turnout we have opted into this program as well. Rnally, municipalmes are given the option to prohibit In-person absentee voting on November 3, 2008. All other methods of absentee voting will continue to be avallatle m voters on that date. I suggested that we select this option as a way to alleviate the push of voting an anticipated 1,200 people on Monday and then having to finalize the voting lists and pont them in order to be ready for election day morning. I have also suggested that the qty Clerks office be closed on Tuesday, November 4, 2008 for all transactions except those relating to voting in order to allow my staff m focus on the challenge of managing the polls on election day. Both of these measures will require extensive public education. This will be achieved through a mass -mailing to all registered voters, newspaper articles and ativertisemer�, radio and TV interviews, and notices on the government channel. The France Committee has reviewed and supports the proposals to prohibit in person absentee voting on November 30 and to close the ClerKs (ice to non-voting business on November 4s'. This order will formally accept these recommendations. Department Head Manager's Comments: Recommend approval. - n'J Lh 2HCity Manager Associated Drtmmaton: Memorandum to Finance Commitee and to dmorry given at legislative hearing. Budget Approval: Finance Director Legal Approval: tyE kcw Z Passage _ Firat Reading Page _ of _ Referral 08 290 sly r r Auignetl to Candler 6tatHck euguae zs, zoos CITY OF BANGOR (TITLE.) ORDER, Authorizing the CM Clerk to prohibit N -Person Absentee Voting on Monday, November 3, 20M and to Close the City Clerk's Office to All Business Other Than Voting on Tuesday, November 4, 2000 WHEREAS, in November 2007, the City of Eangor participated in the Fatty Voting Pilot program which allowed voters to direcdy.place their ballot into a voting machine rather than following the absentee voting procedure of sealing Meir ballot into an envelope to be processed later; and WHEREAS, while Early Voting was a tremendous success, State Officials have determined Mat this process cannot be used until a section a the Maine Constitution is amended; and WHEREAS, as a result, in person early voting for the November 2008 election will be conducted through the regular absentee balloting process, placing an additional burden on election personnel; and WHEREAS, given that November 2008 is a presidential year and Me many are predicting record turnouts, Me City's election system and personnel will be challenged at a potentially unprecedented level; and WHEREAS, it is esssital that voting on election day be conducted in a manna which Is as convenient as possible for voters while insuring the integrity of the process; and WHEREAS, the City Clerk has estimated that over 1,000 registered voters might chose to vote in person on the Monday prior to the General Election, requiring that the polling location remain open far Into the evening and requiring election staff M work long hours on the night prior to the election; and WHEREAS, this would place on undue burden on election workers who must arrive at the polls early On election day and be sufficiently rested M inmm that the pills Open on time and operate efficiently, and WHEREAS, the State Legislature has adopted legislation that allows individual communities M prohibit in-person absentee voting on November 3, 2008, the Monday prior to the Tuesday General Election; and WHEREAS, given the anticipated high level of voter tumour and the numerous and time consuming tasks associated with insuring that the election Is operated efficiently and with Integrity, it is essential Mat the staff of Moody Clerk's Office be relieved of as many of its normal daily duties as possible on election day; ME, NOW, THEREFORE, BE R ORDERED BY THE CRY COUNQL OF THE CRY OF BANGOR THAT The City Counul hereby authorizes Me Qty Clerk to notify the Maine Secretary of State and local poli ial parties that In-person absentee voting will be prohibited In the City of Bangor on Monday, November 3, 2008. AND BE n FURTHER ORDERED THAT The CIM Clerk is authorized to dose her Office on Tuesday, November 4, 2008 to all business and transactions other than voting In order to ensure the success and integrity of the upcoming General Election. w Mg m August 25, 2008 Matlon Made and setoaaen forwage Pae 4 CITY CLR[ i x no_ i flflyg�Authoviaing the Clty Clerk to Pmhahat In -"4 6emEee ni.G ao Masday Novmber 3. 2000 anmdA to Close t e City Clerk e er thm Voting 1V tiae �eede➢. November Othb, 2008 Assigned Is CsuaWW�_