March 16, 2009

 

MEETING OF THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS

751 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, Maryland

 

In Attendance:

 

                                    Board Members:

Jerrold Garson, President

John Sullivan, Vice President

Nancy Dacek, Secretary           

Nahid Khozeimeh

Rosalyn Pelles

Lucia Nazarian

Staff:

Margaret Jurgensen, Director

Sara Harris, Deputy Election Director

Leslie Hatch, Election Judge Coordinator

Laletta Dorsey, Program Specialist

Christine Rzeszut, Acting Operations Manager

Dr. Gilberto Zelaya, Outreach Coordinator

Kevin Karpinski, Legal Counsel

Renee Adams, Election Aide

 

Guests:

Dr. Thomas Jones

Mary Kiraly

Barbara Sanders, Montgomery County League of Women Voters

 

 

                         

Convene Meeting and Declare Quorum Present

 

Mr. Garson called the meeting to order at 2:31 p.m. and declared a quorum present.

 

 

Additions/Changes to the Agenda

 

            There were no additions or changes to the agenda.

 

 

Approval of February 23, 2009, Minutes

 

Minutes from the February 23, 2009, meeting were distributed for review. A motion was made by Mrs. Khozeimeh to approve the February 23, 2009, minutes as amended.  The motion was seconded by Ms. Pelles and carried unanimously.

Election Director Status Reports

 

 

Budget

 

            Ms. Jurgensen reported that spending remains on track for both elections. She noted that no monies were included in the upcoming budget for early voting. Ms. Jurgensen reported that County Executive’s FY10 Recommended budget is in the packet for review along with his statement. The Board reviewed and discussed the handout regarding the budget.

Voter Registration

 

Ms. Jurgensen reported that voter registration was held on March 14th and 15th. She stated that a Press release issued March 10th and media calls were directed to County Council media spokesperson Neil Greenburg. Ms. Jurgensen stated that voter registration was held at Aspen Hill Library, Marilyn Praisner Library, Olney Library, and White Oak Library. She reported that registration was slow and had less that 6 applications or changes. Ms. Jurgensen reported that there was an incident at Olney Library where the registrar left her 14 year old son alone at the table to help her husband with a sick child. She noted that a member of the public saw the child sitting at the table and was upset that the child was there alone. Dr. Zelaya elaborated on the incident and discussed her work ethic with the Board.

 

State Board of Elections

 

Ms. Jurgensen reported that the bids for the new voting system closed on March 5, 2009. She noted that Maryland rules/regulations of procurement are in effect and no additional information can be provided. Ms. Jurgensen stated that she notified SBE of the Board of Elections' facility move to the Gaithersburg area so the proper data lines for MD Voters can be installed with the installation of county data lines. She added that new security requirements will need to be built into the data system.

 

Facility Issues

 

Ms. Rzeszut reported that there was nothing new to report for the Twinbrook Board of Elections' facility. She reported on the new Board of Elections' Gaithersburg facility as follows:

 

§ Ms. Rzeszut briefed the Board on the second site visit conducted last week. She noted that the work is on schedule and things are looking good.

 

·        Floor plan was revised to move the front counter closer to the front door in order to allow two additional work stations in the registration area.  Further, the counter will have shelving on the registration side to provide additional storage area and the closet assigned to registration will be outfitted with shelving as well.

 

§ Security system estimates are being compared with a decision expected within two weeks.

 

§ Final furniture design review will be handled within the week.

 

§ Purchase orders for all moving services have been requested.

 

 

Board Attorney Report

 

            Mr. Karpinski stated that there was nothing new to report.

 

Old Business

 

            Ms. Jurgensen reported that the Ethics Report is due on April 30th and can be filed electronically.

 

New Business

 

State Legislature

           

            Ms. Jurgensen reported that she contacted other jurisdiction regarding bills the election judges and new voting systems. She stated that she is opposed to the rigid definitions regarding duties of election judges. Mrs. Harris stated that information from the previous MAEO Legislative Committee meeting is included in the packet. She discussed the MAEO upcoming meetings included in folders. Mr. Garson discussed making amendments to bills that concern the Board of Elections. He discussed making several changes to House Bills 334 and 1392 for miscellaneous and clarifying corrections. The Board agreed to review HB Bill 1392 and discuss at a later date.

 

*** Ms. Hatch entered the meeting at 3:06 p.m. ***

             

Special Council District 4 Election Preparation

 

            Polling Places

 

Ms. Jurgensen reported that polling place visits will be completed by this Friday, March 20, 2009. She noted that the installation of phone lines has started. She stated that voter notification cards for the four charged polling places for the Council District Special Election have been prepared for mailing tomorrow with three of four precincts now proofed. Ms. Jurgensen requested that after Friday she will need Board members


from each political party to review the polling place maps for the 100 foot electioneering rule. She added that the post cards to notify voters of Special Election dates are being prepared with delivery expected within the next 10 days.

           

            Election Judges

 

            Ms. Jurgensen reported a need for approximately 450 Election Judges for the County Council Special Election cycle and that approximately 80 % of those positions are filled. The totals are as follows:

 

92 Chief Judges

310 Voting Operation Judges

92 Closer Judges

 

Ms. Jurgensen stated that these totals include substitutes. She noted that election judge training staff will serve as roamers/ technicians. Ms. Jurgensen stated that there are 200 voting units and 165 EPBs to be deployed.

 

 

***Ms. Hatch left the meeting at 4:04 p.m. ***

 

            Absentee to Date

 

            Ms. Jurgensen reported that there were 410 overseas voters' requests and 12domestic voters' requests for absentee ballots for the Special Council District 4 Election.

 

            Ballot Preparation

 

            Ms. Jurgensen reported that ballots are expected to be delivered by Wednesday, March 18, 2009.

 

            Sample Ballot

 

            Ms. Jurgensen stated that the proofing of the sample ballot has been completed by Mrs. Khozeimeh and Mr. Garson and the sample ballot is currently at the print shop. Ms. Jurgensen requested the Board to approve printing of sample ballots and hours for absentee voting. The Board discussed and concluded that absentee voting hours will be extended on Wednesday thru Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. the week prior to the Election. Mr. Sullivan suggested that there should be absentee voting on Sunday.

           

A motion was made by Mr. Sullivan to have voting hours on Sundays from noon to 3:00p.m. before the Special Elections. The motion was seconded by Ms. Pelles. After further discussion, the Board voted with 1 vote for the motion and 4 votes opposed to the motion.

 

            A motion was made by Mr. Garson to have voting hours extended on Wednesday thru Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Board voted with 3 votes for the motion and 2 votes opposed to the motion passed. 

 

 

 

            Resolution

 

            A motion was made by Mrs. Dacek for the Montgomery County Board of Elections to direct the Election Director, Margaret Jurgensen, to conduct the Logic and Accuracy testing for the Special Primary and General Elections of County Council District 4 in accordance to COMAR 33.10.02.14 and 33.10.02.15.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Sullivan and carried unanimously.

 

            Coordination Meetings

 

            Ms. Jurgensen stated that she is meeting with the following departments:

 

·    County Police

·    County Security

·    School/County telecommunication

·    Crossing Guards

·    Facilities

·    Public Schools

 

Future Meetings       

A.  April 10, 2009 -  4:00 p.m.- In House Testing

B.   April 13, 2009 - 10:00 a.m.- Public Testing

C.  April 16, 2009 - 5:00 p.m.- Bag Check

D.  April 20, 2009 - 6:00 p.m.-  Precinct Check

E.   April 21, 2009 - 10 a.m.- Swearing In –ELECTION DAY

F.   April 23, 2009 - 10 a.m. - Absentee I Canvass

G. 

H.  April 23, 2009 - 11:00 a.m. – Board Meeting

H.  April 27, 2009 - 10:00 a.m.- Provisional Canvass

I.    May 1, 2009 -    10:00 a.m.- Absentee II Canvass

J.    May 11, 2009 -  10:00 a.m.- Public Testing

K.  May 14, 2009 -  5:00 p.m.- Bag Check

L.   May 18, 2009 -  6:00 p.m. - Precinct Check

M.  May 19, 2009 -  10:00 a.m. - Swearing In – ELECTION DAY

N.  May 21, 2009 -  10:00 a.m.- Absentee I Canvass

O.  May 21, 2009 -  11:00 a.m. – Board Meeting

P.   May 26, 2009 - 10:00 a.m.- Provisional Canvass

Q.  May 29, 2009 - 10:00 a.m.- Absentee II Canvass

R.   June 15, 2009 - Tentative

S.   July 20, 2009

T.   September 21, 2009

U.  October 19, 2009

V.  November 16, 2009

      X.  December 14, 2009

 

 

 

 

Adjournment

 

            With no further business, a motion was made by Mrs. Dacek to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Sullivan and carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 4:12 p.m.

                                                                                   

                                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

 

 

                                                                                                Marjorie M. Roher

                                                                                                Administrative Specialist

 

 

 

 

APPROVED BY THE BOARD:

Minutes Approved April 23, 2009

 

Jerrold S. Garson

Board President