Board of Elections Supervisors

Board of Election Supervisors Thursday, April 4 – 7:00 p.m. College Park City Hall Final Minutes Member District Present Absent 1. Lynea Cooper-Pitts 1 X 2. M. Ruth Murphy 2 X 3. John Payne (Chief) 3 X 4. Yousuf Jaleel 4 X 5. Susan Huemmrich Mayoral X 6. Vacant Mayoral Also Present: Janeen S. Miller, City Clerk Mr. Payne convened the meeting at 7:04 p.m. 1. Approval of Agenda: The agenda was approved by consensus. 2. Approval of minutes from the March 7, 2024 meeting: a. Amendments to the March 7 draft minutes were proposed:  6B1 – Should be “2 year terms to 4 year terms,” not 3 years  6B2 – Should be “the state and County register 16 & 17 year old voters”  6B2b – revise as discussed b. Motion to adopt the minutes with the amendments that were discussed, Murphy/Huemmrich, passed 5-0. 3. Discussion of Agenda Roadmap: a. Mr. Payne reviewed the goals of the agenda roadmap and said it is a constantly changing document that helps keep the BOES on track to make sure nothing is forgotten. b. May meeting: Sam Novey and Mike Hanmer from the Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement are confirmed. i. Invite Tina Batten, Ben Hovland, Student Liaison and Deputy Student Liaison to the May meeting with UMD. ii. Ask M&C for questions/suggestions in advance in writing and/or ask if 2 or 3 elected officials want to attend and participate (quorum concern).  iii. Discussion of surveying other similar college towns about their experience with student participation. iv. Discussion of student participation in College Park: engagement, barriers, UMD policies. v. Develop agenda with John Payne 4. Discussion of Ranked Choice Voting – BOES is scheduled to report to Council in September: Look at the data. What is the goal - to increase voter turnout, or to increase number of candidates? Does it disenfranchise any minority voters or minority candidates. Is there any inherent bias? Review of the material that Mr. Jaleel sent. Mr. Payne read the conclusion from the McCarty article, and requested a citation search in June for responses. Discussion of how to proceed with the project of bringing a report/recommendation to Council. BOES expressed concern about voter confusion. How would it work in CP where two candidates are chosen? Define ballot exhaustion. Report should consider minority impact, turnout, and increased candidate participation. 5. Prepare for the May meeting with Sam Novey and Mike Hanmer from the UMD Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement: See discussion above under 3b 6. New Business: a. Ms. Cooper-Pitts may not be able to attend the meeting on July 15. b. June meeting should focus on the Ranked Choice Voting report. 7. Adjourn – Motion by Ms. Cooper Pitts, second by Ms. Murphy, meeting adjourned at 9:11 p.m. 2024 Upcoming Meetings: April 4 May 2 June 6 July 15 August 1 September 5 October 3 November 7 December 5