Election Commission

City of Battle Creek Election Commission Meeting 10 N. Division – Room 117 Battle Creek, MI April 13, 2011 11:30 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 11:35 A.M. Approval of Minutes (February 28, 2011): Clerk Laser asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes. Hearing none, a motion was made by Eileen Wicklund, supported by Steven Hudson, to approve the February 28, 2011, meeting minutes. All yes. Motion carried. Appointment of Election Inspectors for May 3, 2011, Election: Clerk Laser noted that the City of Battle Creek appoints all election inspectors for the 15 operating precincts for the May 3, 2011, school election. She reported that approximately 1800 absentee ballot applications were mailed to individuals who requested to be placed on the permanent absentee list. Approximately 1200 applications have been returned to date with ballots issued. Ms. Laser noted that according to election law, precincts must be staffed by at least 3 workers in every precinct. However, Ms. Laser felt that having 5 election workers at each precinct would assist in the processing of the absentee ballots and to provide adequate staffing to cover breaks and meal periods. She added that the electronic Poll Book was introduced at the August and November 2010, Elections, and this smaller election provides a training opportunity for inspectors to get acquainted with the ePollBook software. Ms. Laser further noted that although the City of Battle Creek expends the funds to cover election inspector payroll, the costs are charged back to the school districts and reimbursed to the city by the close of the fiscal year. Steven Hudson asked how many total inspectors would be hired. Ms. Laser anticipated hiring approximately 80 inspectors to include 5 for every precinct, and possibly 6 at the larger consolidated precincts. She stated that the smaller elections provide a good training opportunity for those wanting to serve as Chairmen. Eileen Wicklund asked how many inspectors are typically hired for larger elections. Ms. Laser reported that 160 inspectors are hired for presidential elections and typically around 120 inspectors for state and county elections. 1 A motion was made by Eileen Wicklund, supported by Steven Hudson, to approve the hiring of election inspectors for the May 3, 2011, election as requested by the City Clerk. All yes. Motion carried. Update on Redistricting based on 2010 Decennial Census: Clerk Laser reported that she and Susan Bedsole attended an apportionment meeting at Calhoun County to make the committee aware of the County Commission District splits (Precinct 15 & 18) in Battle Creek. If there is any area where the committee can change the district lines to alleviate the splits, Ms. Laser encouraged them to do so as it saves precinct costs on ballot styles. She noted that the apportionment committee was very receptive to the comments. Ms. Laser announced that the City plans to have a redistricting committee look at the 2010 Decennial Census data to see if it shows that our wards are out of balance. According to the City’s Charter, the city’s five wards must stay within 10% population of one another. While wards are based on population, precincts are based on registered voters. The City’s 23 precincts must not contain more than 2,999 registered voters. Public Comment: None. Commission Comment: None. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 12:00 PM. DAL 2