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
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
Bio: Grace Wachlarowicz City of Minneapolis, MN 2012 - Present Election Administration 227,660 registered voters (125 polling locations) Languages: English, Hmong, Somali, & Spanish City of White Bear Lake, MN 1993-2012 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)
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
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 https://www.supportthevoter.gov/files/2014/01/amer-voting-exper-final-draft-01-09-14-508.pdf
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
Poll site checklist ADA Poll checklist available at: http://www.ada.gov/votingscrn.pdf Note: Adapted from "Information and Technical Assistance the Americans with Disabilities Act." http://www.ada.gov/votingck.htm. U.S. Department of Justice, Feb. 2004. Web. Feb. 2016.
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?
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?
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
Parking signage Clearly marked election day voter parking only signs by police order
Polling place layout plan
Document sites with pictures Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Ward 2 Precinct 1, (2014)
Document sites with pictures Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Ward 2 Precinct 1, (2014)
Document sites with pictures Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Ward 2 Precinct 1, (2014)
Document sites with pictures Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Ward 2 Precinct 1, (2014)
Be creative with unique spaces Weisman Art Museum, Ward 2 Precinct 4, (2014)
Polling place layout plan
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
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
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
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
Minneapolis Reports http://vote.minneapolismn.gov/resources/index.htm Under Data and Resources tab
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
Population # Precincts Minneapolis Population vs. Precincts 2000-2014 405,000 400,000 395,000 390,000 385,000 380,000 375,000 370,000 365,000 150 145 140 135 130 125 120 115 110 105 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 '14 100 Minneapolis Population # Precincts
Pre-Election Progress Updates Emails 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
Elected Officials Communication
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) 062714 403 582 0 985 063014 124 70 0 194 070114 62 64 0 126 070214 71 38 26 135 070314 85 26 25 136 070714 59 24 45 128 070814 28 59 28 115 070914 18 24 30 72 071014 18 34 20 72 071114 26 45 22 93 071414 30 51 30 111 071514 28 33 29 90 071614 15 40 21 76 071714 34 36 15 85 071814 31 33 13 77 TOTALS 1,032 1,159 304 TOTAL ABSENTEE VOTERS SERVED TO-DATE 2,495
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 612-673-2073 29
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." http://www.ada.gov/votingck.htm. U.S. Department of Justice, Feb. 2004. Web. Feb. 2016. 30