Election Commission

City of Battle Creek Election Commission Meeting 10 N. Division Street – Room 112 Battle Creek, MI December 27, 2017 9:00 AM Present: Jill Steele, City Attorney; Steve Hudson, City Assessor; Vicki Houser, City Clerk Absent: None Guests: Mayor Behnke Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 9:00 A.M. Approval of Minutes (October 3, 2017 and October 24, 2017) A motion was made by Assessor Hudson, supported by Attorney Steele, to approve the October 3, 2017 and October 24, 2017 Election Commission meeting minutes. All in favor, none opposed. Motion approved. Communications: Clerk Houser read two emails received from Jim Moreno, NPC 1 Chairperson, expressing concerns with the proposed consolidation of precincts 1 and 19, and the proposed polling relocation. Clerk Houser also noted Mr. Moreno questioned the identification of precincts on the Voter Turnout spreadsheet. Clerk Houser noted she also received an email from Robert Whitfield, NPC 5 Chairperson, expressing appreciation for the information, and an email from George Wytko, NPC 9 Chairperson, as he could not open the spreadsheet, and Commissioners Gray and Flores expressing concern with the proposed consolidations. Precinct Consolidations Commission members discussed the proposed consolidations and restructuring. Assessor Hudson asked if the City had difficulty getting residents registered to voter, or if the issue of low voter participation was simply because registered voters did not vote in all elections. Clerk Houser noted between 90% of eligible residents were registered to vote, they simply did not vote. Attorney Steele asked if Absentee Ballots were available to residents upon requests, also asking if voters had to pay postage to return their ballots. Clerk Houser noted there are 6 reasons registered voters could choose on the Absentee Ballot Applications to receive an AV ballot, including over 60 years of age, absent from the community, unable to attend the polls without assistance, tenets of their religion, appointment as an election inspector, and confined to jail waiting arraignment or trial. Clerk Houser confirmed voters needed to pay postage to return their ballot, or drop it off at the Clerk’s office. Clerk Houser informed the Commission that staff had increased the permanent absentee voter list by more than 400 registered voters over the last couple of years, through precinct sign-up lists and office phone calls. Attorney Steele asked if any voters had commented about the lack of turnout at polling locations. Attorney Steele also asked if the City had difficulty finding election inspectors, noting a recent incident with an election inspector who improperly refused a voter’s passport as valid identification. Clerk Houser stated several residents and election inspectors had commented on how slow the precincts are, stating several had made comments that it was a waste of tax payer funds. Clerk Houser also noted finding election 1 inspectors was a challenge, not just for the city, but state-wide, noting it is most difficult to find qualified persons to serve as Chairpersons or Computer Operators. Clerk Houser noted consolidation would allow stronger Chairpersons and Computer Operators to work in a consolidated precinct. Assessor Hudson asked if the City had received any input from residents that would be affected by the restructuring of precinct 20 to move the 13 Harper Creek School District voters to Precinct 11, thus eliminating a split ballot style. Clerk Houser replied she had not received any input from precinct 20 voters regarding the proposed change. Responding to Assessor Hudson’s inquiry of the consolidation of a precinct without a polling location change, Clerk Houser noted precinct 16, once consolidated with precincts 15 and 17, would remain in the same location. Clerk Houser also confirmed a new voter identification card would be sent to the affected voters, stating an additional letter regarding the change is not normally sent, but could be. Clerk Houser noted a special ID card was sent with a banner at the top indicating a precinct or polling location change. Clerk Houser noted the proposed changes to precincts 16, 11 & 20, and 4 & 10 would not include a change to the polling location. Clerk Houser noted polling location changes would occur if the proposed changes to precincts 1 & 19 and precincts 7 & 13 were approved. Attorney Steele asked if any voters from the affected precincts had expressed concerns with the proposed consolidation. Clerk Houser noted she had received concerns only from Mr. Moreno regarding the relocation of precinct 1. A motion was made by Assessor Hudson, supported by Attorney Steele, to move ahead with the proposed changes that did not require a polling location change, including the consolidation of precinct 16 into precincts 15 and 17, to move precinct 11 boundary lines to include the portion of Harper Creek School District currently in precinct 20, removing Harper Creek School District from precinct 20, and to restructure precincts 4 and 10 to balance the number of registered voters in each precinct. Clerk Houser asked if there were any public comments. Hearing no public comments, Clerk Houser asked if there were additional Commission comments. Hearing none, Clerk Houser opened the motion for a vote. All in favor, none opposed. Motion approved. Public Comments: There were no public comments. Commission Comments: There were no Commission comments. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 9:17 AM. 2