ITEM: 10.9 CONSENT- Jane Cross, City Clerk
Title
APPOINTMENT OF ELECTION JUDGES FOR 2012 PRIMARY AND GENERAL ELECTIONS
Background
To date staff has recruited 258 Blaine/Anoka County residents to serve as election judges for the 2012 primary and general elections. Election judges are scheduled to work a full shift which is 6 a.m. to approximately 9 p.m. for the primary election and until approximately 10 p.m. for the general election. We have many new judges again this year and are currently recruiting additional judges for the primary and the general election. Approximately 50-60 additional judges still need to be recruited and trained to meet the minimum number needed in each precinct.
Due to redistricting, two additional precincts were added bringing the total voting precincts in Blaine to 24. A minimum of ten judges are needed in some precincts and many of the precincts require fourteen up to sixteen judges for the general election. Additionally when new judges work the primary election, it is their opportunity to learn on-the-job so they are better prepared for the general election in November when voter turnout is much higher. The list is not a final precinct assignment as party balance is still being finalized for all precincts. There will be judges reassigned as it gets closer to the primary election.
For the 2012 elections there are three recognized political parties:
1. Democratic Farmer-Labor Party
2. Republican Party
3. Independence Party
Election judges may also declare "no party affiliation" but at least two election judges in each precinct polling place must be affiliated with different major political parties. This assures that two different political parties are represented at all times during the hours the polling place is open to carry out certain duties that require party balance such as duplicating spoiled ballots.
The pay rate for 2012 is as follows: Head judge & assistant head judge - $10/hour and Precinct election judge - $9/hour. These pay rates have been in place since 2008.
Recommendation
By motion appoint the attaché list of election judges for the 2012 Primary and General Elections