Title
Elections Department recommending the Board:
1) Adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 002-2020 allowing the Elections Department to partner with non-profit Community Service Organizations (CSO) to implement an "Adopt-A-Vote Center" program; and
2) Approve and authorize the Registrar of Voters to sign an agreement authorizing the County to contribute $2,200 for a 4-day vote center or $5,600 to an 11-day vote center to CSOs for the provision of a minimum of four (4) volunteers to staff County vote centers.
FUNDING: General Fund.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The Registrar of Voters is responsible for effectively staffing vote centers and compensating people who work at them. As a method of properly staffing vote centers the Registrar has created a program called "Adopt-A-Vote Center" to allow County Community Service Organizations (CSO) to provide vote center staffing as a fundraiser for their organization. The CSO will provide a minimum number of volunteers, four (4), at each vote center at all times during the voting process, while the Elections Department will provide an Inspector during the same period. The Inspector will oversee the volunteer workers.
The Elections Department will fully train each volunteer to operate a vote center and the CSO will be responsible for ensuring specified levels of support at the vote center during the election process. The CSO is responsible for ensuring enough additional volunteers are trained by the Elections Department to fill in if a volunteer is unable to work. The CSO may also overstaff the vote center to provide additional help and a community atmosphere at their Vote Center if they choose. The CSO will be able to make the center reflective of their organization and the community they serve, provided no electioneering takes place.
After the successful completion of the election, the Elections Department will pay the CSO either $2,200 for a 4-day vote center or $5,600 for an 11-day vote center, which is equivalent to what it costs to staff any other vote center. This program uses funds that would have been used to pay vote center staff to give directly back to the non-profit organizations that serve our community.
This pilot program will be reviewed after the March election to evaluate success and potential continuation of the program. If the program is continued, Elections will establish a formal CSO application process.
ALTERNATIVES
Do not approve Resolution, thereby requiring the Elections Department to provide staff for all vote centers and not contribute to community non-profits.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact beyond the normal cost to staff a vote center.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Forward a signed minute order to the Elections Department
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Good Governance
Community Partnership.
CONTACT
Bill O'Neill
Registrar of Voters