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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-05-17 Public Comment - K. Douville (Forward Montana & Forward Montana Foundation) - Elections AdministratorFrom:Chris Mehl To:Agenda Subject:FW: Elections Administrator Date:Wednesday, December 06, 2017 11:17:46 AM Attachments:Elections Administrator Policy Briefing.docx.pdf ElectionAdministrator_PublicComment_KelseyDouville.pdf Election Administrator 1.1.docx.pdf Chris Mehl Bozeman City Commission cmehl@bozeman.net 406.581.4992 ________________________________________ From: Kelsey Douville [kelsey@forwardmontana.org] Sent: Tuesday, December 05, 2017 6:29 PM To: Chris Mehl Subject: Elections Administrator Hi Chris, The Gallatin County Commissioners are considering separating the elections responsibilities from the County Clerk and Recorder. That position would be hired and administered by the Gallatin County Administrator, under the Gallatin County Commission. Attached is Charlotte's policy briefing and Resolution of Intent, as well as Forward Montana's public comment at the initial hearing on the idea (November 21st). They are taking public comment until the 19th of this month and they may make a decision at that meeting. We're concerned. Once this position is appointed, there will not be enough methods in place for transparency and accountability to our voters. There is absolutely merit in hiring someone who has the skill set to manage our elections full time. We're not entirely opposed to this move. Rather, Forward Montana is advocating for an Elections Advisory Board that has clear and robust oversight of this position, one that reflects our entire community. Charlotte's policy briefing mentions an Elections Advisory Board to help oversee the position, but when I questioned her, she did not know what I was referring to -- and was opposed to this idea. Missoula has already separated out these positions (but included an Elections Advisory Board) and has had some success. Nine counties in Montana have already separated out these roles. Yellowstone County and Missoula County (as mentioned) are among them. Yellowstone County does not have an Elections Advisory Committee. This has worked for Missoula. Can we make this stronger public policy? Please consider and relay your thoughts/concerns. In addition, if you support strengthening our oversight of our election process, please submit a comment to the Gallatin County Commission. If you don't, please relay your considerations. Best wishes, Kelsey Douville Field Manager (pronouns she/her) Forward Montana & Forward Montana Foundation 603.370.8336 kelsey@forwardmontana.org<mailto:kelsey@forwardmontana.org> Kelsey Douville Bozeman Field Manager, Forward Montana Public Comment Given on November 21, 2017 My name is Kelsey Douville and I’m the Bozeman Field Manager with Forward Montana. As you know, Forward Montana is a nonpartisan political nonprofit which mobilizes and engages young Montanans to use the democratic process to improve their lives and the lives of their fellow Montanans. In addition to registering and mobilizing young voters, we work year around to ensure that elections are fair, accessible and open to every Montanan. The person who administers our elections is sacred, ensuring our democracy can thrive with robust, secure voter turnout. The Elections Administrator must be independent of political winds, an advocate for voters of all abilities, colors, ages, and incomes and a sentinel of fairness. To meet these high standards, it’s imperative that our elections be administered by someone that can be held accountable by their fellow voters. It’s for all these reasons that we are deeply concerned with the current proposal to separate the responsibilities of election administration from those of the Clerk & Recorder. We understand that with the increase in frequency of elections and the growing population of Gallatin County, the responsibilities are growing too much to be shared with the other duties of Clerk & Recorder. However, as the proposal stands now, the Election Administrator would become an appointed position; ultimately, providing little to no opportunity for Gallatin County voters to hold the Elections Administrator responsible. If the Gallatin County Commission chooses to move forward with this proposal, we propose that the Gallatin County Commission establishes an Election Advisory Board that has a real, clearly articulated role in the appointment and annual review processes of the Elections Administrator. The advisory board should be made up of members that represent the diverse voices of Gallatin County with at least one representative on the board from both the Gallatin County Democratic Party and the Gallatin County Republican Party. Further, the Elections Advisory Board should have representative from historically disenfranchised voter populations including a voter living with a disability, a voter of color, a rural voter, and a voter under the age of 25. In addition to participating in the appointment and review process, such a board could support the Elections Administrator in recruiting election judges, suggesting improvements to our current elections processes, and conducting surveys of Gallatin County voters to better understand their voting needs. An Election Advisory Board could not only provide accountability, but it could actually improve the services provided by the Gallatin County Elections Office. Again, we want to echo the sentiment that with the increase in frequency of elections and our growing population, the responsibilities of administering elections are too great to be shared with the responsibilities of the Clerk & Recorder. Appointing someone to the position of Elections Administrator, who can dedicate all of their time to ensuring the quality and security of our elections, could be a responsible path forward, but only if systems are in place for Gallatin County residents to hold them accountable. September​ ​27,​ ​2017 Elections​ ​Administrator Policy​ ​and​ ​Process​ ​Considerations​ ​for​ ​the​ ​Gallatin​ ​County​ ​Commissioners In accordance with MCA 13-1-301,the Gallatin County Commissioners have the authority to appoint a full-time​ ​elections​ ​administrator. 13-1-301.Election administrator.(1)The county clerk and recorder of each county is the election administrator                 unless​ ​the​ ​governing​ ​body​ ​of​ ​the​ ​county​ ​designates​ ​another​ ​official​ ​or​ ​appoints​ ​an​ ​election​ ​administrator.   (​2) The election administrator is responsible for the administration of all procedures relating to registration of                electors and conduct of elections,shall keep all county records relating to elector registration and elections,and is                   the primary point of contact for the county with respect to the statewide voter registration list and implementation of                    other​ ​provisions​ ​of​ ​applicable​ ​federal​ ​law​ ​governing​ ​elections.   (3)The election administrator may appoint a deputy election administrator for each political subdivision required to                 hold​ ​elections.   Overview The​ ​Gallatin​ ​County​ ​election​ ​administrator​ ​is​ ​responsible​ ​for​ ​following​ ​complex​ ​policies,​ ​safeguarding the​ ​rights​ ​of​ ​every​ ​elector,​ ​reflecting​ ​the​ ​values​ ​of​ ​their​ ​community,​ ​delivering​ ​efficient​ ​and​ ​accurate elections,​ ​and​ ​demonstrating​ ​leadership​ ​in​ ​the​ ​field​ ​of​ ​elections​ ​administration.​ ​​ ​Administering​ ​an election​ ​is​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​most​ ​multifaceted,​ ​finely​ ​detailed​ ​functions​ ​of​ ​county​ ​government​ ​and​ ​bears​ ​a tremendous​ ​and​ ​justifiable​ ​amount​ ​of​ ​public​ ​and​ ​media​ ​scrutiny.​ ​As​ ​the​ ​expectations​ ​of​ ​voters, get-out-the-vote​ ​(GOTV)​ ​organizations,​ ​and​ ​advocacy​ ​groups​ ​increase,​ ​policy​ ​makers​ ​and​ ​public administrators​ ​work​ ​to​ ​find​ ​solutions​ ​that​ ​improve​ ​customer​ ​service​ ​and​ ​enhance​ ​the​ ​integrity​ ​of​ ​the system​ ​in​ ​which​ ​our​ ​democracy​ ​is​ ​rooted.​ ​​ ​At​ ​the​ ​direction​ ​of​ ​the​ ​election​ ​administrator,​ ​continuous improvements​ ​are​ ​implemented​ ​in​ ​polling​ ​places,​ ​elections​ ​offices,​ ​and​ ​counting​ ​centers​ ​to​ ​make​ ​sure Election​ ​Day​ ​runs​ ​seamlessly.​ ​​ ​Voting​ ​equipment​ ​is​ ​tested​ ​and​ ​certified​ ​prior​ ​to​ ​Election​ ​Day​ ​and​ ​then secured​ ​to​ ​insure​ ​the​ ​integrity​ ​of​ ​the​ ​process.​ ​​ ​Everything​ ​we​ ​do​ ​is​ ​to​ ​maintain​ ​the​ ​integrity​ ​of​ ​our elections. With​ ​the​ ​passage​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Help​ ​America​ ​Vote​ ​Act,​ ​noteworthy​ ​controversy​ ​in​ ​federal​ ​elections,​ ​and process​ ​changes​ ​required​ ​by​ ​the​ ​state​ ​legislature​ ​during​ ​the​ ​last​ ​15​ ​years,​ ​the​ ​complexity​ ​and​ ​frequency of​ ​elections​ ​have​ ​increased,​ ​necessitating​ ​a​ ​full​ ​time​ ​position​ ​to​ ​focus​ ​solely​ ​on​ ​elections​ ​activities year-round.​ ​Over​ ​the​ ​last​ ​three​ ​years,​ ​the​ ​Gallatin​ ​County​ ​Election​ ​Office​ ​has​ ​averaged​ ​19​ ​elections​ ​a year.​ ​​ ​Some​ ​elections​ ​have​ ​overlapping​ ​dates​ ​(i.e.,​ ​school​ ​election​ ​processes​ ​running​ ​simultaneously with​ ​primary​ ​election​ ​processes)​ ​which​ ​adds​ ​more​ ​complexity​ ​and​ ​confusion​ ​to​ ​these​ ​elections. In​ ​addition,​ ​mail​ ​ballot​ ​elections​ ​require​ ​written​ ​plans​ ​be​ ​completed​ ​by​ ​statutory​ ​deadlines​ ​and forwarded​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Secretary​ ​of​ ​State’s​ ​office​ ​for​ ​approval.​ ​​ ​These​ ​approved​ ​plans​ ​are​ ​continuously monitored​ ​to​ ​ensure​ ​that​ ​all​ ​statutory​ ​deadlines​ ​are​ ​met. Many​ ​of​ ​the​ ​elections​ ​conducted​ ​in​ ​any​ ​given​ ​year​ ​are​ ​elections​ ​held​ ​for​ ​political​ ​subdivisions​ ​of​ ​the county.​ ​​ ​These​ ​elections​ ​require​ ​us​ ​to​ ​track​ ​all​ ​costs​ ​for​ ​the​ ​election​ ​so​ ​that​ ​the​ ​political​ ​subdivision​ ​can be​ ​invoice​ ​for​ ​the​ ​actual​ ​cost.​ ​​ ​Once​ ​the​ ​payment​ ​is​ ​received,​ ​the​ ​Gallatin​ ​County​ ​Election​ ​Office 1    September​ ​27,​ ​2017 completes​ ​an​ ​expense​ ​reimbursement​ ​process​ ​to​ ​replenish​ ​our​ ​budget​ ​so​ ​the​ ​funds​ ​are​ ​available​ ​for​ ​all elections​ ​where​ ​the​ ​cost​ ​is​ ​the​ ​responsibility​ ​of​ ​the​ ​County. Having​ ​a​ ​stand-alone​ ​election​ ​office​ ​ensures​ ​the​ ​many​ ​elections​ ​and​ ​associated​ ​processes​ ​held throughout​ ​the​ ​year​ ​have​ ​dedicated​ ​resources​ ​and​ ​personnel​ ​and​ ​receive​ ​complete​ ​attention​ ​from​ ​the administrator​ ​so​ ​that​ ​statutory​ ​deadlines​ ​and​ ​procedural​ ​requirements​ ​are​ ​met. Every​ ​two​ ​years,​ ​the​ ​election​ ​administrator​ ​recruits​ ​and​ ​trains​ ​more​ ​than​ ​600​ ​election​ ​workers, processes​ ​state​ ​and​ ​local​ ​petitions​ ​(such​ ​as​ ​validating​ ​the​ ​47000​ ​signatures​ ​processed​ ​in​ ​2016), maintains​ ​and​ ​updates​ ​the​ ​voter​ ​list​ ​of​ ​approximately​ ​73,000​ ​people,​ ​maintains​ ​and​ ​updates​ ​more​ ​than 49,000​ ​absentee​ ​voters,​ ​manages​ ​the​ ​address​ ​database,​ ​contacts​ ​voters​ ​to​ ​resolve​ ​issues,​ ​processes candidate​ ​filings,​ ​plans​ ​and​ ​processes​ ​voter​ ​registrations,​ ​communicates​ ​with​ ​the​ ​public​ ​about​ ​elections through​ ​media​ ​interviews,​ ​speaking​ ​engagements,​ ​and​ ​guest​ ​editorials. The​ ​appointment​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Gallatin​ ​County​ ​election​ ​administrator​ ​would​ ​be​ ​based​ ​on​ ​an​ ​individual’s​ ​skills, abilities​ ​and​ ​education,​ ​but​ ​most​ ​importantly​ ​does​ ​not​ ​take​ ​into​ ​account​ ​their​ ​political​ ​party​ ​affiliation. This​ ​process​ ​removes​ ​the​ ​elections​ ​administrator​ ​and​ ​their​ ​administration​ ​of​ ​elections​ ​from​ ​perceived and​ ​actual​ ​political​ ​bias.​ ​The​ ​opportunity​ ​for​ ​bias​ ​increases​ ​when​ ​the​ ​election​ ​administrator​ ​is​ ​the elected​ ​official​ ​running​ ​for​ ​office.​ ​An​ ​appointed​ ​administrator​ ​views​ ​services​ ​and​ ​administration​ ​through an​ ​impartial​ ​lens​ ​as​ ​a​ ​nonpartisan,​ ​local​ ​government​ ​employee​ ​and​ ​is​ ​removed​ ​from​ ​the​ ​politics​ ​that​ ​are tied​ ​to​ ​elections​ ​such​ ​as​ ​campaigning​ ​and​ ​district​ ​demographics.​ ​Every​ ​voter​ ​is​ ​treated​ ​equally.​ ​The appointed​ ​employee​ ​is​ ​also​ ​able​ ​to​ ​better​ ​navigate​ ​the​ ​growing​ ​challenge​ ​of​ ​finding​ ​bipartisan​ ​solutions on​ ​the​ ​policy​ ​level​ ​when​ ​their​ ​political​ ​party​ ​affiliation​ ​is​ ​not​ ​part​ ​of​ ​the​ ​conversation. Finally,​ ​election​ ​results​ ​are​ ​verified​ ​by​ ​a​ ​canvass​ ​board​ ​made​ ​up​ ​of​ ​three​ ​elected​ ​county​ ​officials.​ ​The canvass​ ​board​ ​is​ ​responsible​ ​for​ ​reconciling​ ​all​ ​results​ ​for​ ​each​ ​precinct​ ​and/or​ ​districts​ ​within​ ​the election,​ ​and​ ​no​ ​member​ ​of​ ​the​ ​canvass​ ​board​ ​can​ ​be​ ​a​ ​candidate​ ​on​ ​the​ ​ballot​ ​they​ ​are​ ​canvassing.​ ​This statutory​ ​requirement​ ​highlights​ ​the​ ​value​ ​of​ ​separating​ ​political​ ​candidates​ ​from​ ​participating​ ​in​ ​the public​ ​administration​ ​of​ ​elections.​ ​​ ​Safeguarding​ ​the​ ​elections​ ​process​ ​by​ ​prohibiting​ ​an​ ​incumbent​ ​from serving​ ​on​ ​the​ ​canvass​ ​board,​ ​which​ ​is​ ​responsible​ ​for​ ​a​ ​fraction​ ​of​ ​the​ ​elections​ ​process,​ ​represents​ ​the proportional​ ​value​ ​of​ ​a​ ​nonpartisan,​ ​appointed​ ​elections​ ​administrator​ ​overseeing​ ​the​ ​totality​ ​of​ ​an election. Can​ ​a​ ​full​ ​time​ ​elections​ ​administrator​ ​be​ ​elected? MCA​ ​13-1-301(1)​ ​provides:​ ​​“The​ ​county​ ​clerk​ ​and​ ​recorder​ ​of​ ​each​ ​county​ ​is​ ​the​ ​election​ ​administrator unless​ ​the​ ​governing​ ​body​ ​of​ ​the​ ​county​ ​designates​ ​another​ ​official​ ​or​ ​appoints​ ​an​ ​election administrator.” ●Montana​ ​state​ ​law​ ​does​ ​not​ ​allow​ ​the​ ​election​ ​administrator​ ​to​ ​be​ ​elected​ ​independently. Therefore,​ ​the​ ​election​ ​administrator​ ​can​ ​only​ ​be​ ​nonpartisan​ ​if​ ​Gallatin​ ​County​ ​voters​ ​approve a​ ​study​ ​commission,​ ​who​ ​then​ ​recommends​ ​placing​ ​an​ ​issue​ ​on​ ​the​ ​ballot​ ​to​ ​make​ ​the​ ​county elected​ ​official​ ​who​ ​is​ ​the​ ​election​ ​administrator​ ​nonpartisan.​ ​​ ​Gallatin​ ​County​ ​voters​ ​would then​ ​need​ ​to​ ​approve​ ​the​ ​measure​ ​before​ ​the​ ​position​ ​could​ ​run​ ​in​ ​a​ ​nonpartisan​ ​capacity.​ ​The 2    September​ ​27,​ ​2017 study​ ​commission​ ​process​ ​usually​ ​takes​ ​two​ ​years​ ​to​ ​complete.​ ​The​ ​next​ ​opportunity​ ​to​ ​form​ ​a study​ ​commission​ ​will​ ​be​ ​in​ ​2022. ●In​ ​many​ ​counties​ ​the​ ​duties​ ​of​ ​an​ ​elected​ ​elections​ ​administrator​ ​are​ ​combined​ ​with​ ​those​ ​of the​ ​clerk​ ​and​ ​recorder.​ ​Gallatin​ ​County’s​ ​elections​ ​have​ ​become​ ​so​ ​robust​ ​that​ ​these responsibilities​ ​require​ ​the​ ​attention​ ​of​ ​a​ ​full​ ​time​ ​employee​ ​and​ ​additional​ ​staff.​ ​​ ​For​ ​the​ ​last eleven​ ​years,​ ​I​ ​have​ ​acted​ ​as​ ​the​ ​full-time​ ​election​ ​administrator​ ​because​ ​I​ ​have​ ​had​ ​a​ ​very qualified​ ​Recording​ ​Supervisor​ ​to​ ​manage​ ​the​ ​Recording​ ​Department​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Clerk​ ​&​ ​Recorder.​ ​​ ​If I​ ​had​ ​not​ ​had​ ​such​ ​a​ ​qualified​ ​person​ ​in​ ​that​ ​position,​ ​I​ ​would​ ​not​ ​have​ ​been​ ​able​ ​to​ ​devote​ ​the needed​ ​time​ ​to​ ​making​ ​the​ ​election​ ​process​ ​as​ ​efficient​ ​and​ ​effective​ ​for​ ​the​ ​voters​ ​in​ ​Gallatin County.​ ​​ ​In​ ​addition,​ ​some​ ​of​ ​my​ ​responsibilities​ ​as​ ​the​ ​county​ ​surveyor​ ​have​ ​had​ ​to​ ​be neglected​ ​when​ ​an​ ​election​ ​is​ ​in​ ​progress.​ ​​ ​It​ ​has​ ​been​ ​necessary​ ​to​ ​be​ ​excused​ ​from​ ​the Planning​ ​and​ ​Zoning​ ​Commission​ ​meetings​ ​at​ ​least​ ​three​ ​times​ ​or​ ​more​ ​during​ ​each​ ​of​ ​the​ ​last 11​ ​years. ●The​ ​recruitment​ ​process​ ​provides​ ​the​ ​commissioners​ ​the​ ​opportunity​ ​to​ ​shape​ ​the​ ​future​ ​of elections​ ​within​ ​Gallatin​ ​County.​ ​By​ ​identifying​ ​and​ ​hiring​ ​a​ ​uniquely​ ​qualified​ ​candidate,​ ​the commissioners/county​ ​administrator​ ​can​ ​provide​ ​direction​ ​that​ ​aligns​ ​with​ ​the​ ​county’s strategic​ ​goals​ ​and​ ​maintain​ ​supervisory​ ​guidance. Why​ ​separate​ ​the​ ​position​ ​--subject​ ​to​ ​a​ ​competitive​ ​hiring​ ​process​ ​and​ ​reporting​ ​to​ ​the Board​ ​of​ ​County​ ​Commissioners​ ​and​ ​Chief​ ​Administrative​ ​Officer? ●Establishes​ ​a​ ​leadership-level​ ​job​ ​description​ ​based​ ​on​ ​state​ ​and​ ​federal​ ​best​ ​practices​ ​in​ ​the field​ ​of​ ​public​ ​administration​ ​and​ ​offers​ ​opportunities​ ​for​ ​negotiating​ ​a​ ​competitive​ ​salary​ ​which subsequently​ ​aids​ ​in​ ​attracting​ ​quality​ ​candidates​ ​in​ ​the​ ​event​ ​the​ ​position​ ​is​ ​vacant. ●Requires​ ​regular​ ​review​ ​of​ ​goals​ ​and​ ​objectives​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Board​ ​of​ ​County​ ​Commissioners,​ ​elections advisory​ ​committee,​ ​and​ ​county​ ​chief​ ​administrative​ ​officer. ●Sets​ ​standards​ ​for​ ​the​ ​position​ ​by​ ​requiring​ ​minimum​ ​education​ ​and​ ​experience​ ​requirements before​ ​an​ ​applicant​ ​is​ ​considered​ ​for​ ​the​ ​position. ●Relies​ ​upon​ ​already​ ​established​ ​Gallatin​ ​County​ ​processes​ ​for​ ​professional​ ​accountability including​ ​provisions​ ​for​ ​compliance​ ​with​ ​HR​ ​policies. ●Ensures​ ​that​ ​work​ ​is​ ​completed​ ​not​ ​just​ ​to​ ​the​ ​minimum​ ​level​ ​of​ ​service​ ​required​ ​of​ ​an​ ​elected official​ ​outlined​ ​in​ ​statute,​ ​but​ ​that​ ​delivery​ ​of​ ​services​ ​goes​ ​above​ ​and​ ​beyond​ ​what​ ​is​ ​legally required​ ​to​ ​provide​ ​high​ ​quality,​ ​elector​ ​focused​ ​work​ ​for​ ​Gallatin​ ​County​ ​voters. ●Allows​ ​county​ ​commissioners,​ ​who​ ​are​ ​statutorily​ ​required​ ​to​ ​serve​ ​on​ ​the​ ​canvass​ ​board,​ ​the opportunity​ ​to​ ​observe​ ​first-hand​ ​the​ ​quality​ ​of​ ​the​ ​election​ ​administered​ ​by​ ​the​ ​appointed administrator​ ​through​ ​the​ ​process​ ​of​ ​canvassing. ●Preserves​ ​the​ ​appointed​ ​elections​ ​administrator​ ​–​ ​the​ ​subject​ ​matter​ ​expert​ ​–​ ​as​ ​the​ ​primary point​ ​of​ ​contact​ ​about​ ​elections​ ​through​ ​consistent,​ ​accurate,​ ​detailed,​ ​in​ ​depth​ ​communication free​ ​of​ ​political​ ​influence. ●Eliminates​ ​the​ ​requirement​ ​that​ ​while​ ​running​ ​for​ ​office​ ​the​ ​administrator​ ​ensures​ ​the​ ​integrity of​ ​an​ ​election​ ​while​ ​being​ ​physically​ ​removed​ ​from​ ​the​ ​operations​ ​of​ ​the​ ​election​ ​for​ ​which he/she​ ​is​ ​responsible. ●Dedicates​ ​all​ ​elections​ ​functions​ ​solely​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Elections​ ​Office​ ​and​ ​ensures​ ​operations​ ​need​ ​not compete​ ​with​ ​another​ ​department’s​ ​budget,​ ​needs,​ ​functions​ ​or​ ​staff​ ​time. 3    September​ ​27,​ ​2017 ●Allows​ ​the​ ​elections​ ​administrator​ ​to​ ​engage​ ​in​ ​succession​ ​planning​ ​for​ ​an​ ​increasingly​ ​technical and​ ​complex​ ​position​ ​as​ ​evidenced​ ​by​ ​information​ ​security​ ​needs,​ ​upgrades​ ​in​ ​technology, capital​ ​planning​ ​for​ ​expensive​ ​equipment,​ ​accessibility​ ​requirements​ ​of​ ​an​ ​aging​ ​population​ ​and tremendous​ ​and​ ​well​ ​placed​ ​public​ ​scrutiny. Why​ ​not​ ​have​ ​the​ ​full-time​ ​elections​ ​administrator​ ​position​ ​report​ ​directly​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Clerk​ ​& Recorder/Surveyor? ●Puts​ ​the​ ​employee​ ​in​ ​a​ ​position​ ​of​ ​accountability​ ​for​ ​all​ ​elections​ ​to​ ​a​ ​single​ ​elected​ ​official. ●Working​ ​for​ ​one​ ​elected​ ​official​ ​aligns​ ​a​ ​highly​ ​scrutinized​ ​position​ ​with​ ​one​ ​elected​ ​officials’ party​ ​platform​ ​(as​ ​seen​ ​at​ ​the​ ​state​ ​level). ●The​ ​position​ ​could​ ​be​ ​a​ ​contract​ ​the​ ​employee​ ​supervised​ ​by​ ​the​ ​County​ ​Administrator,​ ​but​ ​the contract​ ​would​ ​be​ ​signed,​ ​negotiated​ ​and​ ​overseen​ ​by​ ​the​ ​county​ ​commissioners. ●If​ ​the​ ​position​ ​is​ ​a​ ​non-contract,​ ​regular​ ​employee,​ ​there​ ​is​ ​less​ ​flexibility​ ​to​ ​negotiate​ ​pay​ ​and less​ ​ability​ ​to​ ​be​ ​responsive​ ​to​ ​immediate​ ​major​ ​issues​ ​or​ ​concerns​ ​related​ ​to​ ​employee performance. ●Several​ ​years​ ​ago,​ ​five​ ​out​ ​of​ ​56​ ​counties​ ​in​ ​Montana​ ​had​ ​an​ ​appointed​ ​election​ ​administrator. Today,​ ​nine​ ​out​ ​of​ ​the​ ​56​ ​counties​ ​have​ ​separated​ ​the​ ​duties​ ​and​ ​have​ ​an​ ​appointed​ ​election administrator​ ​which​ ​reports​ ​directly​ ​to​ ​the​ ​county​ ​commissioners​ ​or​ ​the​ ​county​ ​administrator. What​ ​is​ ​the​ ​difference​ ​between​ ​recalling​ ​an​ ​elected​ ​official​ ​and​ ​terminating​ ​an​ ​employee? ●MCA​ ​2-16-603(3)​ ​states​ ​that​ ​an​ ​officer​ ​subject​ ​to​ ​recall​ ​due​ ​to​ ​“physical​ ​or​ ​mental​ ​lack​ ​of​ ​fitness, incompetence,​ ​violation​ ​of​ ​the​ ​oath​ ​of​ ​office,​ ​official​ ​misconduct,​ ​or​ ​conviction​ ​of​ ​a​ ​felony offense​ ​enumerated​ ​in​ ​Title​ ​45​ ​are​ ​the​ ​only​ ​grounds​ ​for​ ​recall.” ●The​ ​criteria​ ​to​ ​determine​ ​if​ ​a​ ​candidate​ ​should​ ​be​ ​removed​ ​from​ ​office​ ​are​ ​both​ ​subjective​ ​and objective.​ ​Subjective​ ​criteria​ ​are​ ​much​ ​more​ ​difficult​ ​to​ ​demonstrate. ●There​ ​is​ ​an​ ​inherent​ ​conflict​ ​of​ ​interest​ ​when​ ​an​ ​elected​ ​elections​ ​administrator​ ​is​ ​being recalled.​ ​This​ ​official​ ​is​ ​the​ ​key​ ​decision​ ​maker​ ​in​ ​the​ ​recall​ ​process,​ ​despite​ ​the​ ​fact​ ​that​ ​they are​ ​the​ ​individual​ ​in​ ​question. ●Recall​ ​petitions​ ​are​ ​filed​ ​with​ ​and​ ​subject​ ​to​ ​approval​ ​by​ ​the​ ​county​ ​elections​ ​administrator. Once​ ​approved,​ ​signature​ ​gatherers​ ​are​ ​required​ ​to​ ​collect​ ​signatures​ ​from​ ​15​ ​percent​ ​of​ ​the registered​ ​voters​ ​from​ ​which​ ​the​ ​elected​ ​official​ ​was​ ​elected. o For​ ​Gallatin​ ​County,​ ​this​ ​could​ ​be​ ​upwards​ ​of​ ​11,000​ ​signatures.​ ​The​ ​petition​ ​process​ ​is time​ ​and​ ​labor​ ​intensive​ ​and​ ​the​ ​success​ ​of​ ​a​ ​recall​ ​petition​ ​is​ ​exceptionally​ ​low. ●The​ ​termination​ ​of​ ​a​ ​contract​ ​employee​ ​is​ ​straightforward.​ ​Through​ ​proper​ ​documentation​ ​to establish​ ​“good​ ​cause,”​ ​a​ ​contract​ ​employee​ ​can​ ​be​ ​terminated​ ​and​ ​paying​ ​out​ ​the​ ​contract​ ​is​ ​at the​ ​discretion​ ​of​ ​the​ ​County.​ ​If​ ​documentation​ ​cannot​ ​prove​ ​cause,​ ​an​ ​employee​ ​can​ ​still​ ​be terminated​ ​and​ ​their​ ​contract​ ​paid​ ​out​ ​to​ ​minimize​ ​risk​ ​to​ ​the​ ​County. Are​ ​there​ ​considerations​ ​in​ ​elections​ ​administration​ ​outlined​ ​nationwide​ ​that​ ​the commissioners​ ​should​ ​weigh​ ​in​ ​their​ ​deliberations? Federal​ ​Executive​ ​Order​ ​13639​ ​by​ ​President​ ​Barack​ ​Obama​ ​established​ ​the​ ​Commission​ ​on​ ​Election Administration​ ​and​ ​called​ ​for​ ​a​ ​report​ ​on​ ​their​ ​findings.​ ​The​ ​report,​ ​​The​ ​American​ ​Voting​ ​Experience: Report​ ​and​ ​Recommendations​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Presidential​ ​Commission​ ​on​ ​Election​ ​Administration​,​ ​​brought 4    September​ ​27,​ ​2017 forward​ ​a​ ​host​ ​of​ ​best​ ​practices​ ​in​ ​elections​ ​administration​ ​with​ ​the​ ​commissions’​ ​focus​ ​“resolutely​ ​on the​ ​voter.”​ ​More​ ​information​ ​on​ ​the​ ​commission​ ​can​ ​be​ ​found​ ​at http://web.mit.edu/supportthevoter/www/​​ ​(please​ ​note,​ ​these​ ​link​ ​to​ ​mirror​ ​sites​ ​of​ ​the​ ​original​ ​sites that​ ​were​ ​removed​ ​after​ ​the​ ​transition​ ​in​ ​presidential​ ​administrations​ ​in​ ​2017). Notable​ ​excerpts​ ​from​ ​the​ ​report​ ​include: ●“We​ ​discovered,​ ​as​ ​officials,​ ​experts,​ ​and​ ​members​ ​of​ ​the​ ​public​ ​from​ ​across​ ​the​ ​country testified,​ ​that​ ​voters’​ ​expectations​ ​are​ ​remarkably​ ​uniform​ ​and​ ​transcend​ ​differences​ ​of​ ​party and​ ​political​ ​perspective.​ ​The​ ​electorate​ ​seeks​ ​above​ ​all​ ​modern,​ ​efficient,​ ​and​ ​responsive administrative​ ​performance​ ​in​ ​the​ ​conduct​ ​of​ ​elections.​ ​As​ ​the​ ​Commission​ ​sets​ ​out​ ​in​ ​its​ ​report, election​ ​administration​ ​must​ ​be​ ​viewed​ ​as​ ​a​ ​subject​ ​of​ ​sound​ ​public​ ​administration.” ●“It​ ​is​ ​evident​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Commission​ ​that​ ​the​ ​core​ ​competencies​ ​required​ ​of​ ​today’s​ ​election administrator​ ​are​ ​different​ ​than​ ​those​ ​in​ ​the​ ​past.​ ​The​ ​last​ ​decade’s​ ​heightened​ ​demand​ ​for more​ ​professional​ ​administration​ ​of​ ​elections​ ​and​ ​modernization​ ​of​ ​the​ ​process​ ​demonstrates that​ ​there​ ​is​ ​an​ ​increasing​ ​need​ ​for​ ​technology​ ​acumen,​ ​public​ ​relations​ ​skills,​ ​and​ ​data​ ​savvy.​ ​.​ ​. It​ ​is​ ​time​ ​that​ ​election​ ​administration​ ​is​ ​also​ ​counted​ ​among​ ​those​ ​fields​ ​for​ ​which​ ​graduate training​ ​in​ ​a​ ​professional​ ​school​ ​can​ ​constitute​ ​preparation​ ​for​ ​a​ ​career.” The​ ​commissioners​ ​will​ ​hold​ ​a​ ​public​ ​meeting​ ​on​ ​the​ ​matter​ ​at​ ​9​ ​a.m.​ ​on​ ​November​ ​_____​ ​in​ ​the​ ​third floor​ ​Community​ ​Room​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Courthouse.​ ​The​ ​commissioners​ ​will​ ​take​ ​public​ ​comment​ ​until​ ​5:00​ ​p.m. on​ ​November​ ​_______,2017​ ​and​ ​make​ ​a​ ​decision​ ​at​ ​their​ ​public​ ​meeting​ ​on​ ​December​ ​​ ​______,​ ​2017​ ​at 9:00​ ​a.m.​ ​in​ ​the​ ​third​ ​floor​ ​Community​ ​Room​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Courthouse. 5    RESOLUTION​ ​NO.​ ​2017​ ​-​ ​____ A​ ​RESOLUTION​ ​OF​ ​INTENT​ ​TO​ ​CONSIDER​ ​THE​ ​APPOINTMENT​ ​OF​ ​A​ ​COUNTY​ ​ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR​ ​AND​ ​CREATION​ ​OF​ ​AN​ ​ELECTION​ ​DEPARTMENT. WHEREAS,​ ​this​ ​Resolution​ ​was​ ​introduced​ ​by​ ​Charlotte​ ​Mills,​ ​Clerk​ ​&​ ​Recorder,​ ​moved​ ​by​ ​Commissioner __________,​ ​and​ ​seconded​ ​by​ ​Commissioner________________.​ ​​ ​The​ ​Resolution​ ​was​ ​adopted​ ​_______. WHEREAS,​ ​M.C.A.​ ​13-1-301,​ ​provides​ ​that​ ​the​ ​“county​ ​clerk​ ​and​ ​recorder​ ​of​ ​each​ ​county​ ​is​ ​the​ ​election administrator​ ​unless​ ​the​ ​governing​ ​body​ ​of​ ​the​ ​county​ ​designates​ ​another​ ​official​ ​or​ ​appoints​ ​an​ ​election administrator”;​ ​and, WHEREAS,​ ​the​ ​County​ ​Clerk​ ​and​ ​Recorder​ ​is​ ​an​ ​elected​ ​official​ ​who​ ​currently​ ​serves​ ​as​ ​the​ ​election administrator​ ​for​ ​Gallatin​ ​County;​ ​and WHEREAS,​ ​the​ ​Gallatin​ ​County​ ​Board​ ​of​ ​County​ ​Commissioners​ ​(“County​ ​Commission”)​ ​is​ ​considering​ ​whether or​ ​not​ ​to​ ​separate​ ​the​ ​roles​ ​and​ ​responsibilities​ ​of​ ​the​ ​election​ ​administrator​ ​from​ ​the​ ​office​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Clerk​ ​and Recorder​ ​by​ ​appointing​ ​an​ ​election​ ​administrator​ ​and​ ​creating​ ​an​ ​Election​ ​Department; WHEREAS,​ ​there​ ​are​ ​no​ ​statutory​ ​qualifications​ ​for​ ​the​ ​position​ ​of​ ​election​ ​administrator;​ ​and, WHEREAS,​ ​election​ ​duties,​ ​responsibilities​ ​and​ ​complexity​ ​have​ ​increased​ ​by​ ​a​ ​significant​ ​degree,​ ​along​ ​with the​ ​number​ ​of​ ​elections​ ​being​ ​conducted​ ​on​ ​a​ ​yearly​ ​basis;​ ​and, WHEREAS,​ ​appointing​ ​an​ ​election​ ​administrator​ ​will​ ​professionalize​ ​the​ ​position​ ​by​ ​requiring​ ​minimum education​ ​and​ ​experience​ ​requirements​ ​for​ ​candidates​ ​for​ ​the​ ​position;​ ​and, WHEREAS,​ ​appointing​ ​an​ ​election​ ​administrator​ ​will​ ​require​ ​a​ ​job​ ​description​ ​that​ ​is​ ​established,​ ​reviewed​ ​and updated​ ​regularly,​ ​based​ ​on​ ​state​ ​and​ ​federal​ ​best​ ​practices;​ ​and, WHEREAS,​ ​the​ ​County​ ​Commission​ ​will​ ​fund​ ​the​ ​election​ ​administrator​ ​as​ ​a​ ​full-time​ ​position,​ ​that​ ​no​ ​longer divides​ ​his​ ​or​ ​her​ ​time​ ​and​ ​attention​ ​with​ ​other​ ​major​ ​government​ ​operations;​ ​and, WHEREAS,​ ​appointing​ ​an​ ​election​ ​administrator​ ​removes​ ​the​ ​requirement​ ​that​ ​the​ ​election​ ​administrator​ ​run​ ​for partisan​ ​office​ ​while​ ​ensuring​ ​the​ ​bi-partisan​ ​administration​ ​of​ ​elections;​ ​and, WHEREAS,​ ​appointing​ ​an​ ​election​ ​administrator​ ​will​ ​allow​ ​Gallatin​ ​County​ ​to​ ​engage​ ​in​ ​succession​ ​planning​ ​for an​ ​increasingly​ ​technical​ ​and​ ​complex​ ​position;​ ​and, WHEREAS,​ ​the​ ​County​ ​Commission​ ​desires​ ​to​ ​hear​ ​from​ ​the​ ​residents​ ​of​ ​Gallatin​ ​County​ ​regarding​ ​its consideration​ ​of​ ​removing​ ​the​ ​election​ ​responsibilities​ ​and​ ​duties​ ​from​ ​the​ ​Clerk​ ​and​ ​Recorder​ ​through​ ​the appointment​ ​of​ ​an​ ​election​ ​administrator​ ​and​ ​the​ ​creation​ ​of​ ​an​ ​Election​ ​Department;​ ​and, WHEREAS,​ ​the​ ​County​ ​Commission​ ​does​ ​not​ ​intend​ ​to​ ​formally​ ​appoint​ ​an​ ​election​ ​administrator​ ​and​ ​create​ ​an Election​ ​Department​ ​until​ ​December​ ​31,​ ​2018. NOW​ ​THEREFORE​ ​BE​ ​IT​ ​RESOLVED​ ​that,​ ​on​ ​December​ ​19,​ ​2017,​ ​the​ ​County​ ​Commission​ ​will​ ​hold​ ​a​ ​public hearing​ ​on​ ​whether​ ​or​ ​not​ ​to​ ​separate​ ​the​ ​election​ ​duties​ ​from​ ​the​ ​office​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Gallatin​ ​County​ ​Clerk​ ​and Recorder​ ​by​ ​appointing​ ​an​ ​election​ ​administrator​ ​and​ ​creating​ ​an​ ​Election​ ​Department. BE​ ​IT​ ​FURTHER​ ​RESOLVED​ ​that,​ ​if​ ​approved,​ ​the​ ​appointment​ ​of​ ​the​ ​election​ ​administrator​ ​and​ ​the​ ​creation​ ​of an​ ​Election​ ​Department​ ​will​ ​become​ ​effective​ ​on​ ​December​ ​31,​ ​2018. DATED​ ​this​ ​21​st​​ ​day​ ​of​ ​November,​ ​2017 GALLATIN​ ​COUNTY BOARD​ ​OF​ ​COUNTY​ ​COMMISSIONERS ________________________________ ATTEST: Donald​ ​F.​ ​Seifert,​ ​Chairman ___________________________ Charlotte​ ​Mills,​ ​Clerk​ ​and​ ​Recorder PUBLIC​ ​NOTICE The​ ​Gallatin​ ​County​ ​Commission​ ​will​ ​hold​ ​a​ ​public​ ​hearing​ ​on​ ​removing​ ​election​ ​duties​ ​from​ ​the​ ​Clerk​ ​and Recorder​ ​and​ ​appointing​ ​an​ ​election​ ​administrator.​ ​​ ​The​ ​public​ ​meeting​ ​will​ ​be​ ​held​ ​on​ ​December​ ​19,​ ​2017​ ​in the​ ​Community​ ​Room,​ ​311​ ​W​ ​Main​ ​Street,​ ​Bozeman.​ ​​ ​​ ​​ ​Interested​ ​persons​ ​are​ ​encouraged​ ​to​ ​send​ ​written comments​ ​or​ ​attend​ ​the​ ​public​ ​meeting. Please​ ​Publish:​ ​​ ​November​ ​29​th​​ ​and​ ​December​ ​10th,​ ​2017 Bill:County​ ​Commission 311​ ​West​ ​Main​ ​Street, Bozeman,​ ​MT​ ​59715 C:​ ​​ ​Clerk​ ​&​ ​Recorder RESOLUTION​ ​NO.​ ​2017​ ​-​ ​____ A​ ​RESOLUTION​ ​AUTHORIZING​ ​THE​ ​APPOINTMENT​ ​OF​ ​A​ ​COUNTY​ ​ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR​ ​AND​ ​CREATION​ ​OF​ ​AN​ ​ELECTION​ ​DEPARTMENT. WHEREAS,​ ​this​ ​Resolution​ ​was​ ​introduced​ ​by​ ​Charlotte​ ​Mills,​ ​Clerk​ ​&​ ​Recorder,​ ​moved​ ​by​ ​Commissioner _______________,​ ​and​ ​seconded​ ​by​ ​Commissioner​ ​___________________.​ ​​ ​The​ ​Resolution​ ​was​ ​adopted _______. WHEREAS,​ ​M.C.A.​ ​13-1-301,​ ​provides​ ​that​ ​the​ ​“county​ ​clerk​ ​and​ ​recorder​ ​of​ ​each​ ​county​ ​is​ ​the​ ​election administrator​ ​unless​ ​the​ ​governing​ ​body​ ​of​ ​the​ ​county​ ​designates​ ​another​ ​official​ ​or​ ​appoints​ ​an​ ​election administrator”;​ ​and, WHEREAS,​ ​the​ ​County​ ​Clerk​ ​and​ ​Recorder​ ​is​ ​an​ ​elected​ ​official​ ​who​ ​currently​ ​serves​ ​as​ ​the​ ​election administrator​ ​for​ ​Gallatin​ ​County;​ ​and WHEREAS,​ ​the​ ​Gallatin​ ​County​ ​Board​ ​of​ ​County​ ​Commissioners​ ​(“County​ ​Commission”)​ ​has​ ​considered whether​ ​or​ ​not​ ​to​ ​separate​ ​the​ ​roles​ ​and​ ​responsibilities​ ​of​ ​the​ ​election​ ​administrator​ ​from​ ​the​ ​office​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Clerk and​ ​Recorder​ ​by​ ​appointing​ ​an​ ​election​ ​administrator​ ​and​ ​creating​ ​an​ ​Election​ ​Department; WHEREAS,​ ​there​ ​are​ ​no​ ​statutory​ ​qualifications​ ​for​ ​the​ ​position​ ​of​ ​election​ ​administrator;​ ​and, WHEREAS,​ ​election​ ​duties,​ ​responsibilities​ ​and​ ​complexity​ ​have​ ​increased​ ​by​ ​a​ ​significant​ ​degree,​ ​along​ ​with the​ ​number​ ​of​ ​elections​ ​being​ ​conducted​ ​on​ ​a​ ​yearly​ ​basis;​ ​and, WHEREAS,​ ​appointing​ ​an​ ​election​ ​administrator​ ​will​ ​professionalize​ ​the​ ​position​ ​by​ ​requiring​ ​minimum education​ ​and​ ​experience​ ​requirements​ ​for​ ​candidates​ ​for​ ​the​ ​position;​ ​and, WHEREAS,​ ​appointing​ ​an​ ​election​ ​administrator​ ​will​ ​require​ ​a​ ​job​ ​description​ ​that​ ​is​ ​established,​ ​reviewed​ ​and updated​ ​regularly,​ ​based​ ​on​ ​state​ ​and​ ​federal​ ​best​ ​practices;​ ​and, WHEREAS,​ ​the​ ​County​ ​Commission​ ​will​ ​fund​ ​the​ ​election​ ​administrator​ ​as​ ​a​ ​full-time​ ​position,​ ​that​ ​no​ ​longer divides​ ​his​ ​or​ ​her​ ​time​ ​and​ ​attention​ ​with​ ​other​ ​major​ ​government​ ​operations;​ ​and, WHEREAS,​ ​appointing​ ​an​ ​election​ ​administrator​ ​removes​ ​the​ ​requirement​ ​that​ ​the​ ​election​ ​administrator​ ​run​ ​for partisan​ ​office​ ​while​ ​ensuring​ ​the​ ​bi-partisan​ ​administration​ ​of​ ​elections;​ ​and, WHEREAS,​ ​appointing​ ​an​ ​election​ ​administrator​ ​will​ ​allow​ ​Gallatin​ ​County​ ​to​ ​engage​ ​in​ ​succession​ ​planning​ ​for an​ ​increasingly​ ​technical​ ​and​ ​complex​ ​position;​ ​and, WHEREAS,​ ​the​ ​County​ ​Commission​ ​held​ ​a​ ​public​ ​hearing​ ​on​ ​December​ ​19​th​,​ ​2017​ ​after​ ​passing​ ​a​ ​resolution​ ​of intent​ ​and​ ​advertising​ ​the​ ​public​ ​hearing​ ​on​ ​November​ ​29​th​​ ​and​ ​December​ ​10​th​​ ​to​ ​hear​ ​all​ ​comments​ ​on consideration​ ​of​ ​appointment​ ​of​ ​an​ ​election​ ​administrator;​ ​and, WHEREAS,​ ​the​ ​County​ ​Commission​ ​intends​ ​to​ ​appoint​ ​an​ ​election​ ​administrator​ ​and​ ​create​ ​an​ ​Election Department​ ​effective​ ​December​ ​31,​ ​2018. NOW​ ​THEREFORE​ ​BE​ ​IT​ ​RESOLVED,​ ​the​ ​appointment​ ​of​ ​the​ ​election​ ​administrator​ ​and​ ​the​ ​creation​ ​of​ ​an Election​ ​Department​ ​will​ ​become​ ​effective​ ​on​ ​December​ ​31,​ ​2018. 1.The​ ​County​ ​Commission​ ​authorizes​ ​the​ ​removal​ ​of​ ​all​ ​election​ ​duties​ ​from​ ​the​ ​office​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Gallatin County​ ​Clerk​ ​&​ ​Recorder,​ ​pursuant​ ​to​ ​§​ ​13-1-301,​ ​MCA. 2.Once​ ​appointed,​ ​the​ ​Election​ ​Administrator​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​responsible​ ​for​ ​carrying​ ​out​ ​all​ ​election​ ​duties​ ​in Gallatin​ ​County. 3.The​ ​County​ ​Commission​ ​authorizes​ ​the​ ​creation​ ​of​ ​an​ ​Election​ ​Department​ ​that​ ​will​ ​be​ ​overseen​ ​by​ ​the Election​ ​Administrator. 4.The​ ​Election​ ​Administrator​ ​and​ ​the​ ​Election​ ​Department​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​under​ ​the​ ​management​ ​and supervision​ ​of​ ​the​ ​County​ ​Administrator. 5.The​ ​appointment​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Election​ ​Administrator​ ​and​ ​the​ ​creation​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Election​ ​Department​ ​shall​ ​become effective​ ​on​ ​December​ ​31,​ ​2018. DATED​ ​this​ ​2nd​ ​day​ ​of​ ​January,​ ​2018 GALLATIN​ ​COUNTY BOARD​ ​OF​ ​COUNTY​ ​COMMISSIONERS ________________________________ ?????​ ​Donald​ ​F.​ ​Seifert,​ ​Chairman ATTEST: ___________________________ Charlotte​ ​Mills,​ ​Clerk​ ​and​ ​Recorder c:Clerk​ ​&​ ​Recorder