ADMINISTRATION - Cathy Sorensen, City Clerk
Title
ELECTION JUDGE APPOINTMENTS FOR THE 2018 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 14, 2018, Primary election results. Staff is also requesting authority to appoint election judges during the time preceding the election.
To date staff has recruited 220 individuals to serve as election judges for both the 2018 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 in person and online. 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 no increase to the 2018 election judge hourly salaries as outlined below.
• Head/Assistant /Technology Judges- $11/hr
• Precinct Judges -10/hr
• Student Judges - $9/hr
New this year will be the appointment of Technology Judges who will be primarily responsible for trouble-shooting the new electronic pollbooks, leaving the Head Judges available to manage precinct activities.
Council is required to canvass the results of the Primary election, the earliest of which would be Friday, August 17. 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, Assistant and Technology 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 17, 2018, 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 2018 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, 2018 Elections.