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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, February 9, 2009 Page 8 Ms. Curti advised that other states use a system where each ballot envelope would have its own bar code for scanning; with mail voters able to access their personal bar code on line, via a personal identification number (PIN), their Driver's Li- cense or Passport, or other number they chose to establish with the County Elec- tions Office. Councilmember Johnson expressed interest in continuing discussion, opining his initial interest with limited information; further opining that his interest was based on the potential for an increase in voter registration and voting in non-federal election years. Ms. Curti further advised Councilmembers that Ramsey County was currently ad- vocating automatic re-registering of voters whose address changes, so they don't need to go through that process again. Ms. Curti quoted Mr. Mansky's statistics that ten-percent (10%) of people move annually, causing aforty-percent (40%) re- registration situation for every presidential election. Ms. Curti provided statistics from Roseville, with 90 votes not counted: 41 due to not having a voter registration card enclosed; and a handful who didn't sign their registration card for verification, causing those ballots to be rejected. Councilmember Johnson noted the potential impacts on a close election just with those few ballots. Further discussion included current and pending legislation from the Secretary of State's Office; and Councilmembers requesting that staff contact the City's legis- lative delegation expressing interest and to determine if there is another alterna- tive, via the Government Operations Committee, as to support for election re- forms. Staff was directed to provide additional information as discussed, and return to the City Council at an upcoming meeting, with a draft resolution for City Council discussion and consideration for Roseville serving as a pilot community. City Manager Malinen noted, from his perspective and observation, the amount of traffic through City Hall during the election season; as well as the considerable administrative staff time involved (i.e., training, staffing, etc.) and impacts on productivity in advance of elections. City Manager Malinen, therefore, was sup- portive of any improvements that would improve efficiencies. Councilmember Johnson asked that staff provide a cost study analysis based on projected staffing needs for either or both options.