HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 4316 2011 City Primary and general Elections by Mail BallotCOMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 4316
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOZEMAN CITY COMMISSION NOTIFYING
THE GALLATIN COUNTY ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR OF THE
CITY'S DESIRE TO CONDUCT THE 2011 CITY PRIMARY (IF HELD)
AND THE 2011 GENERAL ELECTIONS BY MAIL BALLOT IN
ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 13-19-202, MONTANA CODE
ANNOTATED, (AND NOTIFICATION OF THE CITY'S COMMITMENT
TO FUND THE RETURN POSTAGE COSTS)
WHEREAS, voter turnout in Bozeman municipal elections has historically been
low; and
WHEREAS, Montana law provides a method for conducting mail ballot elections
for local elections; and
WHEREAS, mail ballot elections statistically increase voter turnout in elections;
and
WHEREAS, on May 16, 2011, the„ City Commission was informed that the City
of Bozernan conducted the 2009 General Election by Mail Ballot with a return rate with
postage paid of 34.58%.
WHEREAS, on May 16, 2011, the City Commission was informed that the City
of Bozeman conducted the 2007 primary and general elections by Mail Ballot and that
the voter turnout for both elections was higher than in previous years reaching a return
rate of 44.7%.
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Resolution No. 4316, Notifying Elections Administrator of Mail Ballot Election Process
WHEREAS, on April 6, 2009, . Gallatin County Elections Administrator
Charlotte Mills informed the Commission that the costs of conducting a mail ballot are
always going to be less than the costs of conducting a polling place election; and
WHEREAS, on April 6, 2009 Charlotte Mills also informed the Commission that
in her opinion mail ballot elections tend to increase voter participation, remove barriers
that keep people from getting to the polls, gives people more time to study candidates and
issues, and has built in safeguards that increase the integrity of the election process; and
WHEREAS, the City may hold a Primary Election on September 13, 2011, if
required by law; and
WHEREAS, the City of Bozeman will hold a General Election on November 8,
2011, as required by 13 -1 -104 (2) MCA; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 13 -19 -104, MCA, such elections can be
conducted by a mail ballot election; and the Bozeman City Commission detennines a
mail ballot election conducted in accordance with the provisions of Title 13, Chapter 19,
Parts 1 -3, MCA is in the best interest of the City and the electors thereof, and pursuant to
Section 13 -19 -202, MCA, the City of Bozeman may notify the County EIection
Administrator of its intent to conduct a mail ballot election; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission has committed to funding the return postage
costs on returned ballots; and
WHEREAS, Election Administrator will have at several drop off sites within the
City limits for electors who wish to mark their ballot at a polling site and deposit their
ballot with the election judges at that polling site; and
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Resolution No, 4316, Notifying Elections Administrator of Mail Ballot Election Process
WHEREAS, the Election Administrator will have ADA accessible marking
devices for the disabled to mark their ballot in privacy at the drop off polling sites; and
WHEREAS, for any election conducted by mail ballots must be mailed no sooner
than the 25` day and no later than the 15` day before Election Day and all ballots must
be mailed the same day in accordance with 13 -19 -207, MCA.; and
WHEREAS, the City of Bozeman desires to reduce barriers for qualified electors
in the election process to as few barriers as possible.\
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Commission of the City
of Bozeman hereby notifies the Gallatin County Election Administrator of the City`s
desire to conduct the 2011 city primary (if held) and the 2011 general election by mail
ballot in accordance with Sect. 13 -19 -202, MCA.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, the City Commission of the City of
Bozeman hereby notifies the Gallatin County Election Administrator that ballots should
be mailed in accordance with law.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the City Clerk is hereby directed to
forward a certified copy of this resolution to the Gallatin County Election Administrator
in accordance with the provisions of Sect. 13 -19 -202, MCA.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT within five (5) days of receiving this
request, the Election Administrator shall respond to the Bozeman City Clerk in writing,
State that this request is either granted or denied for reasons specified. If granted, the
Election Administrator shall prepare a plan as provided in Sect. 13- 19- 205, MCA.
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Resolution No. 4316, Notifying Elections Administrator of Mail Ballot Election Process
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the City Commission of the City of
Bozeman hereby infonns the Gallatin County Election Administrator that the City will be
providing for funding of return postage.
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PASSED AND ADOPTED this 23 day of May, 201
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