Consent Agenda - Cathy Sorensen, City Clerk
Title
Title
Election Judge Appointments for the 2022 Elections
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Executive Summary
Council is asked to appoint election judges to serve Blaine voters for the primary and general elections for 2022.
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, 2022, primary election results. Staff is also requesting authority to appoint election judges during the time preceding the election.
To date staff has recruited 164 individuals to serve as election judges for both the 2022 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 view online training every two years to serve. Staff is working to recruit additional judges as Blaine continually sees high voter turnout but are balancing those efforts with the increased promotion by the state, county, and city to vote early either by mail or in person at City Hall.
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.
Council is required to canvass the results of the primary election, the earliest of which would be Thursday, August 11. The meeting will be brief and at least four Councilmembers must attend and can be scheduled at any time during that day.
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 a slight increase to the 2022 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.
Public Outreach/Input
N/A
Staff 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 as proposed;
c. Schedule a special meeting to canvass the results of the primary election for Thursday, August 11, 2022, at 9:00AM.
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 2022 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 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, 2022 Elections.
PASSED by the City Council of the City of Blaine this 6th day of July, 2022.