2018.08.15 WS Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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NEW UJBRIGHTON Ui,f,,, Council Worksession August 15, 2018 5:00 pm Present: Mayor Valerie Johnson Councilmember Graeme Allen Councilmember Mary Burg Councilmember Emily Dunsworth Councilmember Paul Jacobsen Absent: Staff in Attendance: Dean Lotter, Terri Spangrud, Devin Massopust Guests in Attendance: Mayor Johnson thanked the Councilmembers for their participation and attendance at Stockyard Days. Further discussion ensued regarding the Antique Car Run from New London to New Brighton. Discuss 2018 Elections Lotter discussed how staff was addressing election integrity and the work being done to modernize elections. Massopust provided the Council with an update on the 2018 elections process. He explained City Clerk Spangrud would be out of the office from August 29th through early October and Deputy Clerk Daniloff would be working part-time. He reassured the Council personnel was in place to assist with elections this fall. He noted the primary election was held on August 14th and the results show the election ran smoothly. He commented on how absentee ballot voting was on the rise and provided further comment on the deadlines that had to be followed for the upcoming election. Lastly, he updated the Council on the ballot question for November and noted Ramsey County would be printing this question on the ballot for New Brighton. Councilmember Allen asked if the City had enough volunteers for election judges. Spangrud explained the City had a need for more applicants. Councilmember Jacobsen questioned what the hours were for polling places and election judges. Spangrud reported polling locations were open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. She noted election judges had to be present one hour early and had to stay later to ensure ballots were accurate. Mayor Johnson asked when early voting would begin for the November election. Spangrud stated early voting would begin on September 21St. She provided the Council with further information on the City's ballots and ballot boxes. Councilmember Allen questioned what would happen if a polling location were to lose power. Spangrud noted all election equipment had a backup battery and stated a contingency plan was in place. She reported the election results would be slower to receive but explained the integrity of the election would remain in place. She then commented on the changes that would be coming to elections in 2020. She stated voter and staff fatigue was a real concern for her.