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Managing Multiple One-Stop Sites. State Board of Elections Annual Training March 19-20, 2008 Facilitator: Karen Brinson, District 1 DET. Purpose. More one-stop voting sites will be available to the voters of North Carolina in 2008 than ever before. Items to address:
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Managing Multiple One-Stop Sites State Board of Elections Annual Training March 19-20, 2008 Facilitator: Karen Brinson, District 1 DET
Purpose • More one-stop voting sites will be available to the voters of North Carolina in 2008 than ever before. • Items to address: • Why expand one-stop voting? • What’s involved? • How do you prepare? • What are other counties doing?
Background for Workshop • District 1 is greatly expanding it’s one-stop voting locations. Most of the counties will have additional sites for May; others are expanding in November. Several run satellite sites instead of using the office as the location. • In March, District 1 held a workshop about this topic, specifically looking at experiences in Buncombe and Henderson. • Buncombe: 10 sites in May, 20 sites in November • Henderson: 4 sites in May and November • Both counties have managed multiple sites in previous elections
Groups • Group 1: Why? & Publicity • Group 2: How to Prepare • Group 3: Technology & Security
Group 1 (Part 1): Why? • Why have multiple one-stop sites? • What benefits do they bring? • Working with County Commissioners & Manager
Group 1 (Part 2): Publicity • What can you do to publicize? • Conventional ways to publicize • Now be creative/think outside of the box…
Group 2: How to Prepare • How far out do you start planning? • What’s involved logistically? • What supplies, equipment, etc. do you need? Delivery? Setup? • How do you pick locations? Hours? • How do you select workers? Schedule? Pay? Monitor? Training?
Group 3 (Part 1): Technology • What’s involved logistically from the technology side? • How far ahead do you start planning? • When do you set up? What equipment, supplies, etc. are needed? • Who will rover or be on call for support?
Group 3 (Part 2): Security • How do you secure the site, equipment, ballots, & supplies from day to day?
Things to Consider Group Ideas Findings from District 1, Buncombe County, and Henderson County
Group 1 (Part 1): Why? • Why have multiple one-stop sites? • What benefits do they bring? • HENDERSON • 1/3 of voters voted one-stop in 2006 (approx. 10,000) • Preferred by large retiree population • Allows office to focus on Election Day preparations • Cuts down on office staff overtime GROUP IDEAS • BUNCOMBE • 1/3 of voters voted one-stop in 2006 (approx. 30,000) • Philosophy of service • Makes Election Day easier • This is the “good stuff” – one-stops are the most rewarding
Group 1 (Part 1): Why? • Working with County Commissioners & Manager • HENDERSON • Commissioners asked for the sites because of public demand • Well funded ($200k funded for municipal & May primary) GROUP IDEAS • BUNCOMBE • Budget: Ask for more than you’ll need so you’ll get enough (May 2008: $70K in labor alone) • Service to constituents – they hear the praise
Group 1 (Part 2): Publicity • What can you do to publicize? • From District 1, Buncombe & Henderson • Bus billboards and roadside billboards • TV coverage & government channel • Newspaper, radio talk shows & announcements • Create photo & story opportunities • Posters (libraries, colleges, county offices) • Press releases & PSAs (work w/county PR person) • Materials to candidates • Building/outdoor banners • Utility bill mailings • Decorate site to draw attention & make enjoyable GROUP IDEAS
Group 2: How to Prepare • How far out do you start planning? • BUNCOMBE • 3+ months • Reserve sites as soon as budgeted • Make routine visits to sites to get to know the staff ( & vice versa) • Post One-Stop Meetings: “What can we do to improve?” • HENDERSON • 3+ months out • Ongoing agreement & participation with sites; 3 months out confirm GROUP IDEAS
Group 2: How to Prepare • What’s involved logistically? • What supplies, equipment, etc. do you need? Delivery? Setup? • From District 1, Buncombe & Henderson • Designated staff member as point person; Rover • Separate from other parts of office to cut down on confusion • Factor in process and supplies needed for “In Person One-Stop Registration” • Delivery (bonded company or county maintenance), site setup, ballot/PEB storage (fire proof cabinet), bicycle locks/securing devices, re-key site/room/closet GROUP IDEAS
Group 2: How to Prepare • How do you pick locations? Hours? • BUNCOMBE • Population, voter turnout (heaviest voting precincts) • Libraries, community centers, local mall (1st time in May) • Can site accommodate parking needs? • Hours: 10AM - 6PM • HENDERSON • Large population & commerce areas; quadrants of the county • Libraries & town hall • Requested to be one-stop location; planned facility to include • Hours: 11AM – 7PM (office 8:30AM – 5PM) GROUP IDEAS
Group 2: How to Prepare • How do you select workers? Schedule? Pay? Monitor? Training? • From District 1, Buncombe & Henderson • Applications, retired county employees/temps, most skilled poll workers, community college, political parties, senior organizations • Ask about technical/computer skill level (test them on laptop); nationwide background checks • # OF WORKERS – Buncombe: 3-4/location/shift, dedicated staff member & 2 help desk staff; Henderson: 5-6/location, 4-5 floaters/on stand-by, 1 rover • PAY – Buncombe: $10/hr. Captain, $9/hr. clerks, 5 hr shifts; Henderson: $12.50/hr. Captain, $12/hr. assistants; full day or shifts • TRAINING – Buncombe: 25 hrs (5 hrs/day for 1 week) ; Henderson: One full day – AM: Admin; PM: voting machines • Treat them well to keep them! Pizza on Fridays, goody bags, etc. GROUP IDEAS
Group 3 (Part 1): Technology • What’s involved logistically from the technology side? • How far ahead do you start planning? • When do you set up? What equipment, supplies, etc. are needed? • Who will rover or be on call for support? • From District 1, Buncombe & Henderson • Live, Hybrid, or Disconnected: This impacts the schedule and demands on staff • Buncombe: one-stop worker assigned to deliver memory stick each AM & PM; Henderson: rover goes to each site daily • Buncombe: Help desk for support; Henderson: Rover on call and rotating • Computer related supplies: ink cartridges, a good mouse, etc. Have extras! GROUP IDEAS
Group 3 (Part 2): Security • How do you secure the equipment, ballots, & supplies from day to day? • From District 1, Buncombe & Henderson • iVos: “Lock” daily • m100: sort ballots by precinct/VTD daily (store in fireproof cabinet), “chain together” components to fireproof cabinet • Re-key site/room/closet during one-stop period and/or have separate entrance into one-stop area • Law enforcement escort on final day GROUP IDEAS
Keys to Success • Key #1: Recruit one-stop workers early • Key #2: Prepare & Plan • Key #3: Budget wisely • Key #4: Security is critical • Key #4: Treat One-Stop Voting just like Election Day • Key #5: Remember the “Service Philosophy”