Title
Recorder-Clerk-Registrar of Voters recommending the Board:
1) Approve and authorize the Recorder-Clerk/Registrar of Voters to accept the DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) Settlement Fund grant agreement in the amount of $198,000, for the purchase of ADA-compliant online balloting portals from LiveBallot, for a consortium of five (5) participating counties, include El Dorado County; and
2) Approve and authorize the Recorder-Clerk/Registrar of Voters, or designee, to execute the DRAM Settlement Fund grant agreement and submit any financial or programmatic documents as required to accept the DRAM grant funding.
FUNDING: Settlement agreement through the United States District Court of the Northern District of California.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The California Courts, through the Attorney General, have made available funds through a grant process for projects that involve leading technology and software that have a significant impact on enabling new and improved operational capabilities. The DRAM Settlement Fund was created as a result of antitrust litigation involving DRAM (Dymanic Random Access Memory) and is to be used for projects with a purpose “to encourage use of innovative technology to benefit California consumers.”
The Elections Department applied for the DRAM Settlement Fund grant on March 15, 2017 on behalf of El Dorado County and four (4) other counties to participate using LiveBallot, an online balloting portal currently used by El Dorado County to provide ballots to our military and overseas citizens. The grant funding will be used to extend LiveBallot to voters with all disabilities, enabling them to access their vote-by-mail ballot to independently cast their votes in the convenience of their home.
Assembly bill 2252 passed in 2016 details the system requirements for an online balloting system and AB 973 passed September 19, 2017 requires the county election officials to provide a remotely accessible vote-by-mail system beginning January 1, 2020.
The DRAM Settlement Fund grant will commence upon execution for a duration of 24 months. According to the Grant Agreement, $99,000 will be paid to the Grantee within 14 days of the effective date of the agreement, and $99,000 will be paid no later than 12 months after the effective date of the agreement.
A contract for the LiveBallot system along with a budget transfer to increase revenue and appropriations accordingly will be brought back to the board once the grant agreement has been executed.
ALTERNATIVES
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OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
No change to Net County Cost. The Elections Department estimates savings up to $9,500 in FY 2018-19 due to credits provided by LiveBallot for previously paid invoices that will be covered by grant funding.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
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STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Linda Webster
Assistant Registrar of Voters