Election Commission

CITY OF STERLING HEIGHTS MINUTES OF THE ELECTION COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 4, 2019 Location: Conference Room 101, City Hall, 40555 Utica Road, Sterling Heights, MI 48313 1. Meeting called to order and roll call. Chair Ryska called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. Commissioners present: Wayne Davis, Joseph Niman, Jr., Melanie D. Ryska, City Clerk Also present: Judy McHale, Clerk Coordinator 2. Approval of Agenda. Motion by Niman, seconded by Davis, to approve the agenda as presented. Yes: All Motion carried. 3. Approval of Meeting Minutes of October 10, 2018. Motion by Davis, seconded by Niman, to approve the meeting minutes of October 10, 2018 as presented. Yes: All Motion carried. 4. To review and approve ballot proofs for the November 5, 2019 Election. Clerk Ryska reported that staff proofed the ballots and found no errors. The Commission took some time to review the ballots and compare them to the Affidavits of Identity. Motion by Davis, seconded by Niman, to approve the ballot proofs and printing for the November 5, 2019 Election and authorize the City Clerk to sign the Ballot Layout Sign-Off Form to be submitted to Macomb County Elections Department. Yes: All Motion carried. 5. To consolidate precincts at the same polling locations for the November 5, 2019 Local General Election. Clerk Ryska noted that the City has 45 precincts at 32 locations. As in past practice, the 13 polling locations that house two precincts will be combined. Election Commission October 10, 2018 Page 2 Motion by Niman, seconded by Davis, to consolidate precincts at the same polling location for the November 5, 2019 Local General Election. Yes: All Motion carried. 6. Communication from Citizens. None 7. Old Business. Commissioner Niman inquired about the precinct evaluation program results from the November 6, 2018 Election. Coordinator McHale noted that she will distribute the results before the next meeting for the Commissions review. Clerk Ryska stated that there was a lot of good feedback and some improvements are being made as a result of the questionnaire. Commissioner Niman asked whether or not we have the manpower to effectively run precincts. Coordinator McHale noted that we have lost a few Chairs for various reasons but since we are consolidating precincts this election, we should be in good shape. She will send the Field Rep notes/evaluations on Inspectors to the Commission before the next meeting. 8. New Business. Chair Ryska reminded the Commission that with the passage of Prop 3 in 2018, we now have same day voter registration. Residents must register in the Clerk’s Office on Election Day, they cannot register at the precinct. Prop 3 also allows for “no-reason” AV, which means that our absent voter numbers will continue to increase, and will likely reach 30,000 by the 2020 Presidential. The Clerk’s Office is working to revamp the internal AV process to streamline and find efficiencies. Space to house all of the AV ballots will also become an issue. Additionally, election equipment storage is in the Court basement, which is not ideal for logistical and security purposes. We working on a resolution for AV ballot and equipment storage and will keep the Commission updated. 9. Adjournment Moved by Niman, seconded by Davis, to adjourn the meeting at 10:37 a.m. Yes: All Motion carried. ______________________________________________ Melanie D. Ryska, Chair City Clerk