14-Election dates use of electronic voting machines

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CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM BRIEFING SHEET Submittal Date: Originating Department: Presented By: Agenda Item No.: 07/08/2011 Council Date: City Clerk Janice Ellis 14. 07/25/2011 RECOMMENDED MOTION: Not an action item POLICY ISSUE(S): Elections BACKGROUND: I recently attended a meeting put on by the Secretary of State and TML at the City of Allen regarding SB 100. SB 100 was passed during the 82°d Texas Legislative Session and could potentially impact many city elections. The biggest change is that County Elections Administrators will no longer be required to enter into a contract to furnish election services for an election held on the second Saturday in May in even-numbered years. The reason for the change is that the primary runoff election date for State primary races has been moved from April to the fourth Tuesday in May (primary elections are held in even-numbered years). This creates overlapping election deadlines/dates with the primary runoff and our general municipal election. In turn, there is the possibility of a shortage of federally mandated direct recording electronic machines, which is required to be accessible at each polling place, pursuant to the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). At the meeting, municipalities discussed the following three options: 1) Purchase electronic voting machines and conduct our own election; 2) Move City Council elections to November; and 3) Conduct municipal elections only in odd-numbered years. Discussion and options are still in the early stages. In the upcoming months, we anticipate that we will be receiving additional information from TML and the Secretary of State Elections Division. There is no action to be taken as this time. BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: EXHIBITS: ACTION: BUDGET INFO: ❑ Financial Report ❑ Minute Order Expense $ ❑ Department Report ❑ Resolution Budgeted Amt. $ ❑ Presentation ❑ Ordinance y'I'D Actual $ ❑ Public Hearing ❑ Other Acct. Name Acct. Number FrscA. NoTES: REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY: Z Administration Z City Clerk ❑ Communiry Development ❑ EMS/IT ❑ Finance ❑ Fire ❑ Municipal Court Z Legal ❑ Library ❑ Police ❑ Eng./Public Wotks ❑ Utilities City of Paris Revised 2/04/08 75