Election Commission

City of Battle Creek Election Commission Meeting 10 N. Division – Room 117 Battle Creek, MI September 6, 2011 11:00 AM 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 11:02 AM. Purpose: To review quotes for ballots for the November 8, 2011, City Election. Election Update by City Clerk: Clerk Laser provided a summary of City Commission candidates and noted that there are ten candidates seeking election for four At-Large positions, two candidates vying for Ward 1 Commissioner, one candidate seeking election for Ward 2 Commissioner, two candidates vying for Ward 3 Commissioner, one candidate seeking office for Ward 4 Commissioner, and two candidates vying for Ward 5 Commissioner. Ms. Laser also submitted a listing of registered voters per precinct, a ballot rotation schedule, and a request for ballot quote. She reported that there will be 23 ballot styles. Clerk Laser stated that she considered the complexity of the ballot, historical data regarding voter turnout, and previous requests for quote. She reported that she requested a quote for 12,050 ballots, which is approximately one third of the registered voters. This number would provide sufficient ballots for Election Day and testing. Review of Ballot Quotes: Ms. Laser noted that the request for quote was submitted to four vendors and three responses were received. Election Source submitted a quote of $1963.00, Printing Systems submitted a quote of $2,193.00, and MER could not offer a quote as they were at working capacity for the November election. Coding is not included in the quotes. Ms. Laser recommended that the Commission accept the quote from Election Source, being the lowest quote, and to move ahead with a requisition and the printing of ballots. She anticipated a PDF file of each ballot style by the end of the week and official ballots by September 23, 2011. Because Election Source maintains the election equipment, has a local subcontractor who prints the ballots, and submitted the lowest price, Ms. Wicklund agreed that Election Source should print the ballots. 1 A motion was made by Steven Hudson, supported by Eileen Wicklund, to authorize Election Source to print the November 8, 2011, City Election ballots. All yes. Motion carried. Public Comment: None. Approval of Minutes (April 13, 2011): Ms. Laser asked if there were any additions or corrections to the April 13, 2011, minutes. Hearing none, a motion was made by Eileen Wicklund, supported by Steven Hudson, to approve the April 13, 2011, Election Commission minutes. All yes. Motion carried. Commission Comments: Eileen Wicklund asked if the City Clerk had a redistricting update. Clerk Laser stated she received a communication from the Bureau of Elections announcing that there is no immediate need for local jurisdictions to begin making precinct-level redistricting changes and cities should not submit changes to the state until directed to do so. She added that Calhoun County changed their Commission Districts so that Battle Creek Precincts 15 and 18 were no longer split. Ms. Laser anticipated having the Election Commission meet again in a few weeks to authorize the hiring of Election Inspectors. Adjournment: A motion was made by Eileen Wicklund, supported by Steven Hudson, to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 11:20 AM. DAL 2