Election Commission

City of Battle Creek Election Commission Meeting 10 N. Division – Room 117 Battle Creek, MI February 28, 2011 11:00 A.M. Present: City Attorney Eileen Wicklund, City Assessor Steven Hudson, City Clerk Deidre Laser Absent: None Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 11:12 A.M. Approval of Minutes: A motion was made by Steve Hudson, supported by Eileen Wicklund, to approve the October 14, 2010, meeting minutes. All yes. Motion carried. Consolidation of Lakeview Precincts for May 3, 2011, Election Pursuant to MCL168.659, Clerk Laser noted that the Election Commission can consolidate election precincts not less than 60 days prior to an election based on the complexity of the ballot, anticipated voter turnout, and the combined precincts can not exceed 5,000 registered voters. Clerk Laser presented a listing of the number of registered voters in the ten Lakeview School District precincts to the Commission. She indicated by combining the precincts that are located in the same building, none of them exceed 5,000 registered voters. Clerk Laser reported there are two uncontested full term positions, one partial term position with two candidates vying for the position, and no proposals on the Lakeview ballot. According to historical data, anticipated voter turnout typically does not exceed 6% for a school election. By consolidating precincts in the same building, Clerk Laser commented it would save expenses on programming, ballot styles, and election inspector wages for the Lakeview School District. Steven Hudson asked to view the Precinct map to look at the Lakeview precincts. Clerk Laser pointed out the location of the Lakeview precincts that are in the same polling location. Only Precincts 8 & 11 are stand alone precincts. A motion was made by Eileen Wicklund, supported by Steve Hudson, to consolidate the Lakeview School District precincts that are located in the same building, that being, precincts 2 & 3, 5 & 20, 6 & 9, 22 & 23 for the May 3, 2011, election. All yes. Motion carried. 1 Update on Calhoun County’s plans to consolidate 9 other school districts in county: Clerk Laser reported that the Calhoun County Election Commission has already voted to consolidate precincts for those districts having precincts in the same building in the other 9 county school districts and to consolidate irregularities of precincts having 91 voters or less to another precinct, having the same ballot style, to save ballot and coding costs. Ms. Laser shared her concern that the Calhoun County Election Commission voted to move Harper Creek voters from Precinct 20 (Lakeview Middle School) to Precinct 13(Coburn School). Ms. Laser indicated this action would create an extra ballot style at Coburn School. Since the Calhoun County Election Commission will be meeting again to amend the ballot order due to the outcome of the Emmett Township recall election, Clerk Laser suggested that this Board could send a recommendation that Harper Creek voters in Precinct 20 be moved to Precinct 11, where a Harper Creek ballot style already exists. Steven Hudson felt that made good sense since most Harper Creek voters live on Sonoma Road, S. Minges Road, and Glenn Cross Road and would be driving to their own neighborhood at Precinct 11 to vote. Ms. Laser reported that she will piggyback off of Calhoun County’s ballot order when ordering Lakeview ballots to save ballot costs. A motion was made by Steven Hudson, Eileen Wicklund, to recommend to the Calhoun County Election Commission to move Harper Creek voters in Precinct 20 to Precinct 11 for the May 3, 2011, election. All yes. Motion carried. Clerk Laser said she would forward the recommendation to the Calhoun County Election Commission. Post cards will be sent to the affected voters stating for one time only, they would be voting at Precinct 11. Public Comment: None. Commission Comment: Steven Hudson appreciated the work that Ms. Laser presented. Ms. Wicklund added that information is always put forth in a very clear manner. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 11:25 AM. 2 3