michael perry durham county board of elections. 199,900 + registered voters 57 polling locations...
TRANSCRIPT
POLLING LOCATION SITE MANAGEMENT
Michael Perry
DURHAM COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS
THE NUMBERS……..199,900 + Registered Voters
57 Polling Locations
TYPE COUNT %School 25 44%Church 16 28%Other 5 9%Park Rec Center 5 9%Library 3 5%Other county bldg. 3 5%Grand Count 57
THE NUMBERS……
Registered voter counts range from
763 to 7,655
THE NUMBERS……
November 2012
147,000 or 69% of our registered voters voted
107,000 or 71% of those that did votevoted during early voting or by
THE NUMBERS……
This made for a relatively calm election day
No precinct had the potential for over 1,200 voters
THE NUMBERS……
I showed the numbers to explain why we don’t have or need more polling locations. If we limited precinct size to 2,500 voters we would need 106 polling locations.
Are polling locations easy to find?
FINDING NEW LOCATIONS……
We have tried many, many methods for finding new polling places…….
FINDING NEW LOCATIONS……
We consulted
with a great and powerful
wizard……….
FINDING NEW LOCATIONS……
We sought guidance from other powerful people….
FINDING NEW LOCATIONS……
Desperate but
still with hope we searched for……
TOO LATE!!!
FINDING NEW LOCATIONS……
So we settled down, regrouped, got ourselves together and now we do the following:
1. Satellite view of Google or GIS maps looking for large buildings
2. Using the search nearby feature of Google maps looking for schools, parks and churches
3. Drive around the area looking for building that might work
FINDING NEW LOCATIONS……
What do we look for:
1.A well known or easy to find location
2.Easy automobile access
3.Adequate parking
4.ADA compliance potential
FINDING NEW LOCATIONS……
When we identify a good potential location we meet with the on-site staff. Even with county buildings we want to know how they feel about it. They are the people we will be working directly with.
or
?
FINDING NEW LOCATIONS……
Recent history shows that new churches and apartment complexes are less likely to have any interest. If they do agree we will then do a complete ADA assessment and write up an agreement for approval.
If the assessment, agreement and approvals work out we will have a new polling place. We will advertise the new location and notify all effected voters.
FINDING NEW LOCATIONS……
How much does an additional polling place cost?
START UP/FIRST ELECTION COST
RECURRING PER ELECTION COST
Location rent or fees $300 $300Tabulator $5,000 $250Ballot box $500 $0Automark $6,000 $300Other maint and licenses $0 $150Other supplies $500 $200Poll books $150 $150Tables and chairs $300 $0Equipment storage space ????? ????? Polling location Staff $1,000 $1,000Delivery and pickup $100 $100Election day support $100 $100
TOTAL --> $13,950 $2,550
ONE-STOP SITES……
One-stop Early Voting locations add additional challenges because we will occupy the space for three two weeks, require network access and need even more parking.
Durham County has several fairly new or renovated libraries with good interior space, access, accessibility and parking. We also use two university locations with limited parking but most of the voters walk to vote.
We are given access a few days before voting starts for setup and network testing.
ONE-STOP SITES……
The county IT departments provide us with network access. For non- county location they provide a secure connection through the available network.
A county locksmith changes door locks to the room or a secure area within the room so access is limited to BOE staff only.
CBE staff and temporary staff deliver all supplies and equipment and set up tables, chairs and computers. We borrow a van from county GS.
CBE staff test each computer and printer. Systems are configured to operate in the SOSA hybrid mode and each system has its own printer.
Assigned One-stop staff sets up interior and exterior signage and booths.
WHAT ABOUT VOTING CENTERS ?
Voting centers, also known as super precincts, were first used in Colorado in 2003. A voting center could allow any voter in the county to cast their ballot at a limited number of sites and eliminate the precinct level polling places.
WHAT ABOUT VOTING CENTERS ?
Advantages: Fewer voting places required
fewer workers required
Less equipment required (=lower maintenance cost and
less storage space needed)
Online system so voting activity recorded almost
immediately
Voter history process minimized
Results reporting sooner
WHAT ABOUT VOTING CENTERS ?
Issues: Voter resistance
????????
POLLING LOCATION SITE MANAGEMENT
THE
END Michael Perry
DURHAM COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS