3. Discussion and possible action to adopt Resolution of appreciation of the Ballot Simplification Committee, its clerk, and its counsel for their excellent efforts for the November 2010 election.
President Matthews, read the resolution in its entirety. Thanking them for their excellent work
to the voters of San Francisco.
The resolution was adopted by the Elections Commission UNANIMOUSLY.
Betty Packard of the Ballot Simplification Committee spoke on behalf of the committee and graciously accepted the resolution. Betty Packard introduced members of the Ballot Simplification Committee June Fraps, Adele Fasick, Ann Jorgenson, Chris Unruh and Barbara Carr the Committee’s Clerk. Betty commended the Department of Elections and Director John Arntz, for an outstanding job saying it has been a pleasure working with them and not once were they called upon and the response not been quick and efficient. She said that the November 2010 election was the most difficult set of circumstances this committee has faced, but that they were recharged and ready to serve if there is a special election in June.
4. Announcements. None offered.
5. Public comment on any issue within the Elections Commission’s general jurisdiction.
No comments
6. Director’s Report:
Administrative Division: the Board has extended by eight days some of the deadlines to an election being held on June 7. The State has not called for an election for June 7th and the Legislature can change the deadlines which would allow the Governor to call an election for June 14th or 21st. It appears that July 1 is the important date for the legislature since this is when the fiscal year begins and the tax measures expire.
Director thanked David Chiu’s office for submitting the emergency ordinance to the Board and the City Attorney’s office for drafting the ordinance.
Poll workers division: They have begun contacting poll workers and are planning to staff fewer polling sites since, if a June election does occur, the Department will consolidate the polling places reducing the total from 571 to 412 places.
Publications: They recently met with vendors obtaining quotes and trying to see what efficiencies we can obtain with publications especially for both Chinese and Spanish publications and are preparing for the Ballot Simplification Committee meeting scheduled next week.
Technology Division: Among their usual work they are focused on prepping the machines and equipment that the city may need to borrow from Riverside County to implement Saturday voting. They are also looking at increasing the multi-language capabilities of the website and giving more information such as where an individual’s polling place is, vote-by-mail applications, customer surveys all of which will be multilingual.
Campaign Services: will be holding a training class regarding putting ballot arguments
in the voter guides for the Supervisors’ aides this Friday.
Saturday Voting: Department staff continues to meet at least once a week to prepare for Saturday voting since it will affect every area of our operation. Keeping in mind this information needs to be finalized for the Controller’s Office regarding cost, this is no simple project, and the contributors who want to fund Saturday voting need information on cost as it will give them a target of what needs to be obtained.
7. Commissioners’ Reports
None offered.
Old Business
8. Discussion and possible action to adopt policy related to possible Saturday voting, its budget estimate, its logistics, its legal requirements and constraints, its fundraising, or other considerations related to implementation of the measure. Invited to speak and confer with the Commission are Controller Ben Rosenfield (or his designee) as to that office’s role and activities as detailed in Proposition I (Nov. 2010 election); and Alex Tourk, proponent of Proposition I.
Peg Stevenson from the Controllers Office gave an introduction of how the Controllers
Office works on effectiveness, efficiencies and auditing and determining cost to the City. She had met the previous week with Director Arntz and Commission President Richard Matthews to discuss their concerns regarding Saturday Voting. Peg says she looks forward to working with the Department and keeping thing transparent as we move forward.
Public Speaker David Pilpel, ask if there has been a drop dead date set. Deputy City Attorney Jon Givner said that Proposition I does not state a specific date however the Director has anticipated working with the Controller’s Office a set date. Director Arntz replied that while working with the operational considerations and communicating closely with the Controller’s Office, they will create the deadline. As of now, given what is currently known and the current directives and permissions granted by the Secretary of State, the date by which the Department must know if Saturday voting will occur this November will be July 8th. Director Arntz said he spoke with the Secretary of State (SOS) earlier and was told that he could announce they plan to grant a waiver which allows San Francisco to use the Edge touchscreen machine on Saturday at the polling places. Working backward from November that would require July 8th to begin the process of having the machines checked and shipped from Riverside County and having them checked once again after arriving here in San Francisco. Director Arntz goes on to say that as it pertains to cost, the current draft budget for Saturday voting is $2.3 to 2.4 million, which is higher than the quote given in August, considering there are cost that could not have been envisioned. Director Arntz agreed with President Matthews that we are fortunate that other counties may have this equipment on hand since the city will need borrow over approximately 300 machines.
Alex Tourk speaking on the behalf of Proposition I and the implementation of Saturday Voting said he wants to make it clear that he understands this is not an easy task and understands that change is difficult. The motive of this coalition is to inspire people to have a greater participation in voting, that historically voter turnout has been low, with the exception of the last Presidential election. He feels very left out of information regarding this issue, being that July 8th is a deadline he wants to know what is the projected cost and he and other concerned voters want to be able to meet the financial requirements that will be set by the Department of Elections and the Controller’s office. President Matthews assured him that this information is just becoming available regarding cost and that he is getting information really at time same as the Commission.
Commissioner Townsend welcomed him and suggested that he or someone from his coalition attend meetings and this will allow communication and assure that they are informed as the Commission. President Matthews also invited Mr. Tourk or his designees to attend the meetings of the Commission’s Budget and Oversight of Public Elections Committee (BOPEC) the first Wednesday of each month and Elections Commission Meetings held third Wednesday.
Public Speaker David Pilpel suggested that the website be updated to include information regarding Saturday Voting, that memos between the Department and the Controller’s Office and Secretary Of State be posted. This information will provide the public with information that allows them to see just how cost is determined and be a source of information.
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Saturday / Tuesday Voting Replication
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Satellite Voting Operation
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1. Is Saturday Voting operations an exact replication of standard Tuesday precinct voting?
No City Attorney Givner said this is not an exact replica, but shall replicate to the extent possible.
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11. Is Saturday Voting an early voting station similar to the Early Voting Station operated at City Hall with Vote-By-Mail ballots issued on site and collected for later central processing? Yes
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2. Is there requirement that polling places be the exact same number and location as Tuesday voting? Yes
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12. Can Vote-By-Mail ballots be issued off a roster for a precinct? No
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3. Same hours as on Tuesday (7AM-8PM)?
Yes
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13. Can Vote-By-Mail ballots be issued to a voter not on a roster or from a different precinct? Yes City Attorney Givner said an example is if a voter were to come into the precinct and name does not appear on the roster they may use a provisional ballot.
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4. Use of same Roster? Yes, although this presents some operational challenges yet to be solved; should it be the exact same book on both days? Peel & stick? How?
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14. Can Provisional ballots be issued on Saturday? Yes Director Arntz said ballots will be picked up by the sheriffs and taken to the warehouse.
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5. Are Indexes to be required and posted? No Director Arntz said the machines will be set up and close at the end with no tabulations.
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15. What are the hours? Yes
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6. Same Index for Saturday and Tuesday? No
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16. Will voters be informed of any operation on Saturday which is not an exact replication of standard Tuesday precinct voting? Yes
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7. Can voting Machines be used (Insight & Edge)?
The Insight cannot be used. The Edge can be used because of the requirement for access for disabled voters.
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17. Are Indexes to be required and posted? Yes
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8. If voting machines are used, is it the same exact same machine(s) on Saturday and Tuesday? No
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9. Can Provisional ballots be issued on Saturday?
Yes, although the exact details and procedures for this have yet to be determined.
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10. Would any or all voted ballots and elections materials which need to be secured (i.e. rosters, unvoted ballots) need to be removed on Saturday and returned to the precinct Inspector before Tuesday? Yes Director Arntz machines will be picked up by sheriff deputies and taken to the warehouse
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