Citizens' Advisory Committee on Elections
MINUTES
of the
Citizens Advisory Committee on Elections
Wednesday, July 12, 2000 at 5:30 p.m.
City Hall
Room 56
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Kathy Grogan, Chair at 5:43 p.m.
Present: Christopher Bowman
Laura Brainin-Rodriguz
Larry Griffin
Kathy Grogan
Susan Horsfall
Marcel Kapulica
Joan Lewis
Anne Politeo
Samson Wong
Patricia Fado, Director of Elections
Jennifer Novak, Elections Department
2. Review of Minutes
Laura Brainin-Rodriguez was in attendance for the May 24, 2000.
Minutes where approved for previous meetings.
3. Report of the Chair
Kathy Grogan reported that Supervisor Mabel Teng received the Special Report on June 24, 2000. A meeting with Supervisor took place on June 29, 2000 with the Supervisor, Susan Horsfall and Samson Wong to briefly discuss the report and continue to encourage her support of the department, especially in light of new line items in the Department's budget. The Supervisor was given copies of pamphlets available at the Department which describe District elections.
4. Director of Elections Report
Patricia Fado reported that the candidates list for the upcoming election continues to grow. There had been four (4) local and two (2) state initiatives submitted.
The department is currently working on samples of the font size for the ballot. We are working hard to keep it to two ballots. The additional cost of going to three (3) ballots would be $200,000 to $300,000.
The department has purchased new voting booths with self-contained lighting. Our website is being redesigned.
The Director distributed two types of ballots for the purpose of comparing font size for the Chinese language ballots.
The Committee agreed that the 10pt. Font was the most legible and suggested that it be used for the ballot.
Susan Horsfall requested a time line for the ballot layout.
Ms. Fado stated that it was scheduled for the third week of August.
5. Old Business
A. Prioritization & Selection of Proponent / Opponent Arguments in the voters Information Pamphlet
Chris Bowman reported that Supervisor Tom Ammiano refused to have a hearing for the third time. The Director of Elections is tying to push this through. Chris hopes that Supervisor Ammiano will have this ready for next year (January 2001).
Please note that items of old business previously listed on agendas will be revisited in September.
6. New Business
A. Recommendations form CACE Ad Hoc Committee report - including status of budget items.
Ms. Fado reported that the department received everything in the budget except the Deputy Director position and $250,000 for a district mailing.
Susan Horsfall stated that, with the help of Samson Wong, they had explored how to reinstate the Deputy Director position through the November and December 2000 Elections, and that management staff depth is needed. Secondly, they explored how to reinstate funds to have a mailing which outlines the changes in election procedures due to district elections distributed to each voter. Ms. Horsfall expressed that these two changes are significant and will educate the public. She asked for support form the committee by having members contact the Board of Supervisors and Political Organizations.
All members supported their efforts.
B. Transparency of Voting
C. Polling Places / Poll Worker Recruitment
D. Multilingual / Media Services
Samson Wong addressed Items B through C which were placed on the agenda as an outcome of issues brought up in the CACE report to the Board of Supervisors
a) He recommended televising the actual vote count on the City television station. By doing this, the Department would allow voters complete access to the vote count and alleviate any concerns about fraud, etc.
This matter was discussed at length, with concerns brought up about union work rules, privacy issues for employees, etc. Further research and discussion to ensue at the August meeting.
b) Increase the numbers of Bilingual Poll Workers by using City Workers, or perhaps in lieu of jury duty or the Job 20 program. This idea will be further investigated to determine whether jury service could be replaced by working at the polls.
b) Secure Naturalization list to send Registration cards out to recently naturalized citizens and make the list available to nonprofit groups who work with new citizens.
Patricia Fado stated that a representative of the Department attends all of the Naturalization Ceremonies in order to register voters.
These items will be separated and agendized for member comments at the August meeting.
Chris Bowman motioned that the Election Results be published on Cable Television from 8PM until close of the count.
Susan Horsfall seconded the motion. It was recommended by the committee to the Director of Elections to televise the election results from 8 p.m. until the close of the count by a unanimous vote of the committee.
E. Alternative Voting for Run-Off Elections
This item was tabled to a future meeting.
6. Committee Members' Questions and Answers
Susan Horsfall asked the Director of Elections, Patricia Fado, to give a status report on Rock the Vote.
Ms. Fado reported that Rock the Vote was scheduled for August 20, 2000. It is attracting 18 through 24-year-old voters. Ms. Fado added that Rock the Vote will be informed in writing that all registration cards must be received at the end of the night.
Mr. Horsfall stated that she had communicated Rock the Vote Information to A. Randolph Institute and Earth Train.
Chris Bowman requested that Voter Statistics be given out at every meeting and requested that they be available by Supervisorial District. He also mention that he attended the Candidate Brown Bag Lunch and it was very informative. Mr. Bowman also mentioned that with BART in the election, there will be 29 ballot types and the rule of the department has to be vote in your own ballot type. He requested an update form the director.
Ms. Fado explained that the department will state vote at your polling place or your vote may not count.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
Otto Duffy, poll worker, stated that there maybe a small amount of fraud during, nothing goes perfectly. He felt that the committee had good ideas regarding public viewing with cameras and recruiting of poll workers.
Patricia Fado announced that Evonne Zamora, Precinct Services Manager, was leaving her position and that cake would be served Thursday, July 13, 2000 at noon in the Department of Elections.
9. SCHEDULING OF THE MEETING
Kathy Grogan: The next regularly scheduled meeting for August 9 will be in a Superviosrs hearing room. All meetings will take place there until further notice. Larry Griffin mentioned that there was no one present from the City Attorney's office. Every effort will be made to have a member of that office present at future meetings.
10. AJOURNMENT
Kathy Grogan adjourned the meeting at 7:15 p.m.
