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w - <br />...•■=TiNG <br />REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION <br />OCf t 4 2002 <br />Cl I Y UHORONO <br />DATE; October 10,2002 <br />ITEM NO: Jlf <br />Approval: <br />Name Lin Vee V <br />Title Citv Cleric <br />Administrator Reviewed:Agenda Section: <br />City Administrator’s <br />Report <br />Item Description: Establish Abscntce'^allot Board - Resolution <br />Background <br />Since the voter turnout in Orono for the General Election averages between 75% and 80%, the <br />polling places are very busy with voters throughout the day. This leaves little time for election <br />judges to process absentee ballots during the normal election hours. For example, during the 2000 <br />General Election, there were a total of 4.752 ballots counted in Orono ’s four precincts, with 573 of <br />the ballots being absentee. An absentee ballot board may perform a number of duties prior to <br />election day, including “accepting” and “rejecting” absentee ballot envelopes. <br />Accepting and Rejecting Absentee Ballot Envelopes <br />During the process of “accepting” and “rejecting” absentee ballots, election judges or absentee ballot <br />board members examine the absentee return envelope. The envelope would be marked “Accepted” <br />if the election judges or a majority of them are satisfied that: <br />1. the voter ’s name and address on the return envelope are the same as the information <br />provided on the absentee ballot application; <br />2. the voter ’s signature on the return envelope is the genuine signature of the individual <br />who made the application for ballots and the witness certificate has been completed <br />as prescribed in the directions; <br />3. the voter is registered and eligible to vote in the precinct or has included a propterly <br />completed registration card in the return envelope; and <br />4. the voter has not already voted at that election either in person or by absentee ballot. <br />The election judges or absentee ballot board members would mark the envelope “Rejected” if the <br />absentee voter has failed to meet any of the above requirements. <br />Establishing an Absentee Ballot Board <br />Election judges have indicated that it would be helpful to have at least a portion of the absentee <br />ballot process completed prior election day. State Statutes have given municipalities the authority <br />to establish an absentee ballot board by resolution for this purpose. Attached is a draft resolution