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� : ul � r� w [ j� �.,»�� 1 r1� � �li � � Septez�aber � 9, 2006 Tn: Chris Miller, In�erim City Manager Fr: Caralyn Curti, Elections Coordinator Re: Possible Legislative Coneerns � work close�y witk� Raznsey Ca��ty Elections sta�`f to coordinate el�c�ions. Ratns�y Caun�y is puz�sui�zg three l�gislative chazages th.at would hel� the elec�ians process. T thinlc each a�'ihese haa merit and would like the City to consider suppt�rting fihem. In addi�io� to �-�aay caz��ac�nts below, T've attached Ramsey County's explana�ians. • Allow va��rs ta east a ballat in person during the eight days prior to a�a elaction. The Cxty incurs emplpyee casts as we�l as costs for envelopes and mailing when votexs vate by absentee ba�lot. If t�e Legislature adopted the "early voting" metl�od i� w�ic� a bal�ol: would imr�ediately f�ed in�o a baliot bnx, we would reduce mailzng a.zad p�nting costs. Additiianally, we canld likely reduce the number of hours we rely on election judges to help with abs�nte� voting. Rosevilte taraditionally kzas a higher percent of absentee vaters t�an neighboz-ing cities. • Allow cou�tics, ar�a�unicipalities and schooi districts to appoint election judgcs ta serve without naajar party affiliation. Cu�ently, we must have no mare than SO% of,judges belonging to ane political party. Al�hough the City is able to mee� tl�is standard, 'rt requires a substar��ial amaunt of staff �ime to get the appropriate political balance. Having f�ve years af e�cperience coordina�ing Roser�ille eIections, I can attest to the znaz�y chec�Cs and balances that ensure clean and fair elections. I also see the comzxaitrnent of'the judges r��o are working, not to help fheir candidates, but io ensure that elections are run properly. Making this change wauld not hurt the integri�y of �he eleciio�zs. • A�nend t�ie assistive vnting technology appropriations law to au�horize state �'unds to be us�d ta pay �k�e sala:ry of a judge assigned to assist voters using the new vo�ing equipment. The City began using Au�oMARI�s at �he pz�zzxary election. These machin�s allow vaters tp �ark a ballo� in complete secrecy, Hawever, t�ZC machines can be intimidating at first so soz�ae voters may need assistaz�ce in haw to use the machines. A� the primary only one or two voters �er precinet used the machines — nnt a very good return on the anraore than $60,000 investmen�, An eleetion judge specially �rained in the use a£ tk�e AutoM�1RK wnuld facilitate �eaier use af the maek�iz�es. ./�ff��.� r� � /.�