Applying Presidential Commission on Election Administration (PCEA) Recommendations

Transcription

1 CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS Applying Presidential Commission on Election Administration (PCEA) Recommendations Grace Wachlarowicz, CERA Assistant City Clerk, Director of Elections & Voter Services This presentation was prepared for The Elections Center 2016 Special Workshop, February 26, 2016

2 Minnesota Elections Election Day Registration No-Excuse Absentee Voting (in-person and mail) Paper Rosters Optical scan ballots Decentralized election administration: OSS: Statewide Voter Registration System Counties: Voter registration entry, ballot design, results reporting Local: Absentee voting, all Election Day administration and functions Election judge = Pollworker Second language assistance; not mandated

3 Bio: Grace Wachlarowicz City of Minneapolis, MN Present Election Administration 227,660 registered voters (125 polling locations) Languages: English, Hmong, Somali, & Spanish City of White Bear Lake, MN Administration of Elections (city & school district), city licenses, license bureau (aka DMV) Registered voters City 15,000 (5 polling locations) School district 32, 000 (14 polling locations)

4 MISSION STATEMENT VOTERS Engaged and Confident of the Election Process ELECTION JUDGES The Face of Elections Serves the Voter with Knowledge of Elections in a Voter Friendly Environment ELECTIONS &VOTER SERVICES Provides the Training and Resources to Enable the Election Judges to Serve the Voter and Maintain the Integrity of the Election

5 PCEA Recommendations Accessibility and Voter Experience A well-managed polling place can be the most important factor contributing to the quality of the voter experience. Communication to Policymakers The country s election officials find themselves secondguessed & heavily criticized when elections run into problems, and praise is not forthcoming in comparable volume-or at allwhen the process runs smoothly. At the same time, these officials are all too often given inadequate resources with which to carry out this critical function. Note: Adapted from Presidential Commission on Election Administration (2014), (PDF document), Retrieved from

6 Accessible polling locations Annual Poll Site Visits 1. Accessible To and in the poll 2. Demographic Profile Each polling location is specific to the needs of the community served Translated materials and bilingual election judges High mobility = Election Day Registrations Senior housing Facility capacity to meet the number of registered voters

7 Poll site checklist ADA Poll checklist available at: Note: Adapted from "Information and Technical Assistance the Americans with Disabilities Act." U.S. Department of Justice, Feb Web. Feb

8 Beyond the Basics Approximate # of voters that can be accommodated in line inside Site served by public transit? Nearest transit stop is how far from poll? Site can assure parking will be available on Election Day/not used in relation to other activities at site? Site can restrict or limit potentially disruptive activities/meetings during Election Day?

9 Beyond the Basics continued Site has adequate lighting? Chairs & tables are available on site? Site has strong/adequate mobile phone signal strength? A landline phone available to judges? Site has adequate/accessible power supply Is there a designated parking area for the voting facility? Is there adequate space for signage visible from the entrance indicating path of travel to the voting area? Is the path of travel clear of obstructions?

10 Informed signage IF YOU LIVE WITHIN THE BLUE LINE, VOTE HERE Outdoor signage displaying a precinct map so voters can confirm that they are at the correct polling location PRIOR TO entering the building

11 Parking signage Clearly marked election day voter parking only signs by police order

12 Polling place layout plan

13 Document sites with pictures Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Ward 2 Precinct 1, (2014)

14 Document sites with pictures Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Ward 2 Precinct 1, (2014)

15 Document sites with pictures Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Ward 2 Precinct 1, (2014)

16 Document sites with pictures Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Ward 2 Precinct 1, (2014)

17 Be creative with unique spaces Weisman Art Museum, Ward 2 Precinct 4, (2014)

18 Polling place layout plan

19 Gather Election Judge feedback Post-election Debrief Sessions Judges in key leadership positions have the opportunity to provide direct feedback about their experience; what worked and lessons learned Feedback received is incorporated into planned process improvements and future election plans

20 360 Evaluations All Election Judges provide feedback Performance evaluations of fellow election judges to understand the strengths and weaknesses of individual judges, to determine any adjustments in training to meet judge needs, and to identify and develop potential judges for leadership roles Judges also evaluate elections department comprised of permanent and temporary staff

21 Communication to Policymakers Election Administrators must educate the policymakers and the public on what they do 1. Reports Post-election analysis Planning, preparations, and initiatives 2. Pre-election progress updates Plan Statistical data of pre-election activity

22 Post-Election Analysis Objective review of successes and lessons learned 1. Overview of the election Voter turnout and participation 2. Administration and Operations Polling locations, staffing, and voter outreach and education Budget and financing 3. Conclusion Recommended strategies, process improvements and initiatives

23 Minneapolis Reports Under Data and Resources tab

24 Pictures are 1,000 Words 12% 2014 General Election Staffing 1% 1%.2% 2% 18: Healthcare 4% 1% 7% 67: AB Runners 29: AB Board 5: Core Staff 7% 23: Seasonal Staff 123: Head Judge 128: Assistant Judge 1099: Team Judge 221: Student Judge 64% 15: Precinct Support Judge

25 Population # Precincts Minneapolis Population vs. Precincts , , , , , , , , , This gap can be expected to result in long lines and wait times. 360,000 '00 '01 '02 '04 '05 '06 '08 '09 '10 '12 '13 ' Minneapolis Population # Precincts

26 Pre-Election Progress Updates s to Mayor and City Council Key election dates New laws affecting election administration Notable activity Progress of election judge recruitment Weekly updates on Absentee Voting

27 Elected Officials Communication

28 Elected Officials Communication Table Example DATE Total # In-Person AB Voters at City Hall Total # AB Mailed OUT (Requested) Total # AB Mailed IN (Returned) Total Voters Served (In-Person & Mail) TOTALS 1,032 1, TOTAL ABSENTEE VOTERS SERVED TO-DATE 2,495

29 May you have a successful and uneventful 2016 presidential election year! Grace Wachlarowicz, CERA Director of Elections & Voter Services City of Minneapolis grace.wachlarowicz@minneapolismn.gov

30 References Presidential Commission on Elections Administration The American Voting Experience Report and Recommendations of the Presidential Commission on Election Administration January (2014) "Information and Technical Assistance the Americans with Disabilities Act." U.S. Department of Justice, Feb Web. Feb