ADMINISTRATION - Cathy Sorensen, City Clerk
Title
ELECTION JUDGE APPOINTMENTS FOR THE 2016 ELECTIONS
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 August 9, 2016, Primary election results. Staff is also requesting authority to appoint election judges during the time preceding the election.
To date staff has recruited 228 individuals to serve as election judges for both the 2016 Primary and General elections. While most election judges are scheduled to work full shifts we are offering some partial shifts to help meet voter demand during peak times such as early morning and early evening. Election judges are required to attend training which is being presented both in person and new this year online which has been well received. We have both returning and new judges this year and are still recruiting additional judges as we expect high voter turnout for both elections.
State Statute and City Charter require 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.
Staff is proposing increases to the 2016 election judge hourly salaries as outlined below:
• Head/Assistant Head Judges - $10/hr to $11/hr
• Precinct Judges -$9/hr to $10/hr
• Student Judges - $9/hr - no proposed increase
Salaries have not been increased since 2008 and with the expected voter turnout staff believes this increase would be timely. Sufficient funding has been budgeted to cover this increase.
Council is required to canvass the results of the Primary election on the third day after the Primary, which would be Friday, August 12. The meeting will be brief and at least four Councilmembers must attend and can be scheduled at any time during that day.
Recommendation
a. 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;
b. Approve the hourly salary for election judges at $11.00 per hour for Head and Assistant Head Judges and $10.00 per hour for Precinct and Student Election Judges;
c. Schedule a special meeting to canvass the results of the Primary Election for Friday, August 12, 2016, at a specified time.
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 2016 Elections; 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 in order 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, 2016 Elections.