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:
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Referral
08 290
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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.
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August 25, 2008
Matlon Made and setoaaen
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CITY CLR[
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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�_