Board of Elections Supervisors

Board of Election Supervisors January 9, 2020 College Park Airport Operations Building 7:00 p.m. Minutes (Approved February 20, 2020) Members District Present Absent John Robson, Chief Mayoral X Lisa Williams District 1 X Diane Ligon District 2 X Yousuf Jaleel District 4 X John Payne District 3 X Cameron Thurston Mayoral X Also Present: Janeen S. Miller, City Clerk The meeting was called to order by Chief Robson at 7:03 p.m. All members were present. Minutes: A motion was made by Ms. Williams and seconded by Ms. Ligon to approve the minutes of the December 12, 2019 meeting without amendment. The motion passed 6-0. Review of draft report for upcoming Worksession with the Mayor and Council: The Supervisors discussed and edited the draft report and discussed the presentation to Council at the January 21 Worksession. The revised draft will be circulated to Supervisors one more time prior to finalization for Council packet. Specific discussion included refining language for “one-year residency requirement to run for office.” Ms. Miller will prepare a cover sheet (staff report) for the agenda item that will include some additional matters for Council discussion, such as consideration of Vote By Mail and results of the Advisory Ballot questions. She will circulate this to the Board prior to the Council meeting. The Board reviewed the election expense chart prepared by Ms. Miller. One-Year Residency Requirement to run for office: The Board’s recommendation will be included in the report to Council. The Board is proposing an additional method to prove residency other than being registered to vote. This will be discussed at the Worksession with Council and would involve a Charter Amendment. The Board is interested in keeping the language in the Charter broad, i.e., “with criteria to be established by the Board of Election Supervisors.” Questions from Mayor and Council: The Board reviewed the questions that were posed by the Mayor and Council. • One-year residency requirement to run for office: Addressed in report.  • Final cost of early voting: Provided in election expense chart prepared by Ms. Miller which will be included in the report. • Final cost of using Stamp Student Union: Provided in election expense chart prepared by Ms. Miller which will be included in report. • Final count for students registering to vote and the number of new voters for this election cycle: It is difficult for the Board to determine this information. • Thoughts on Same-Day Voter Registration: Addressed in report. • Concerns about yard signs on resident’s personal property without authorization: This is not a matter for the Board to address. Ms. Miller said when we get calls with these concerns, we advise the caller to contact the candidate directly. The City does not remove political signs. Other Issues and Concerns: • Ms. Miller recommended changing the date of appointment for the Supervisors to the July 1 in the year prior to the election, rather than in an election year, so that the Board has more time to prepare for the election. The Supervisors agreed – they don’t want to be brought in at the last minute and want to be involved in the decision points. • The Supervisors discussed attending a future “Vote By Mail” forum to be hosted by the City of Rockville. • Upcoming meeting dates were determined (3rd Thursday, 7 p.m., Davis Hall): o February 20, March 19, April 16, May 21. ADJOURN: At 8:50 p.m., a motion was made by Mr. Payne and seconded by Ms. Williams to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 6-0.