Consent Agenda - Cathy Sorensen, City Clerk
Title
Title
Election Judge Appointments for the 2023 Special Election
end
Executive Summary
Council is asked to appoint election judges to serve Blaine voters for the Ward 2 special election.
Background
Pursuant to Minnesota election law and City Charter, Council must appoint election judges, set their salary, and schedule a special meeting to canvass the April 11, 2023, special election results. Staff is also requesting authority to appoint election judges during the time preceding the election.
To date staff has recruited 54 individuals to serve as election judges. Statute and Charter requires that election judges be appointed by the Council at least 25 days prior to the election. Staff is requesting that Council authorize the City Clerk to make appointments and substitutions as necessary should the need arise in the 25 days prior to the election. Election law allows for emergency appointments on Election Day.
The required canvass of election results will be included on the April 17 Council agenda.
Strategic Plan Relationship
N/A
Board/Commission Review
N/A
Financial Impact
Based on a survey of other cities within Anoka County, staff is proposing no increase to the 2023 election judge hourly salaries:
• Head judges - $14/hr
• Technology judges- $13/hr
• Precinct judges (including student judges) -$12/hr
Election judge pay has been appropriately budgeted for through the City Clerk’s budget in the general fund. Staff will conduct another survey as part of the budget process to ensure election judge salaries are comparable with surrounding cities and make any recommendations prior to 2024.
Public Outreach/Input
N/A
Staff Recommendation
Adopt the proposed resolution approving the appointment of election judges and authorizing the City Clerk to appoint and assign election judges during the 25 days preceding the election if additions/substitutions are necessary and approve the hourly salary for election judges as proposed.
Attachment List
Election judge report
Body
WHEREAS, the City Council is required by Minnesota Statutes Section
204B.21, Sec. 2, and Chapter 4, Nominations and Elections, Section 4.05 of the City Charter, to officially approve the appointment of election judges; and
WHEREAS, the City Council hereby adopts the judges listed on the Judge Board Report, hereto attached, as the official election judges for the 2023 special election; and
WHEREAS, the City Clerk is hereby authorized to appoint and assign election judges during the 25 days preceding the election if additions or substitutions are necessary to fill vacancies and meet party balances.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Blaine that the names listed on the Judge Board Report, hereto attached, are the official Election Judges for the City of Blaine, 2023 special election.
PASSED by the City Council of the City of Blaine this 6th day of March, 2023.