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Politics & Government

Takoma Park Board of Elections Discusses Election Budget, Schedule

Board set tentative schedule.

 

The Takoma Park Board of Elections discussed how a proposed budget for the 2011 election would be used, as well as a schedule for that election.

Jessie Carpenter, city clerk, briefed the board at its meeting Mar. 16 on the proposed $15,000 budget for the 2011 election that has been submitted for inclusion in Takoma Park’s proposed fiscal year 2012 budget, which is scheduled to be presented to the City Council on Apr. 4.

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“I don’t know if that ($15,000 election budget) is appropriate enough; I was thinking it would give us the opportunity to do a second mailing,” said Carpenter, who asked the board if “a second mailing is worthwhile.” If the board declines a second mailing, she would propose a $12,000 election budget for fiscal year 2012.

The last election took place in fiscal year 2010, according to Carpenter, who listed the cost of that election as $9,141.23. “Some of the expenses from last time won’t be necessary now, but there’s always an amount of translation,” she said. “What I’m suggesting is, if you think a second mailing is a good idea, add $5,000 (to the election budget).”

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If the proposed $15,000 election budget is approved by the council, the dates of the two mailing would have to be determined, according to Board Chairwoman Anne Sergeant.

However, the mailings sent out by the board for the last election to 16,000 registered voters occurred shortly after the nominating process, and about two weeks before the election, Carpenter said.

The tentative planning schedule for the 2011 elections is not finalized, and might have additions depending on how much is approved for the fiscal year 2012 election budget. Highlights of the tentative schedule are:

April

A demonstration to the board of accessible interface, and a second draft of absentee voting steps for voters.

The board makes a preliminary election report to the council.

May

The board makes final ballot templates, and works out details of the format for reporting election results.

June

The board selects voting location(s) and rooms.

July

First and second reading of election ordinance occurs.

August

The board begins election judge recruitment.

September

Initial poll worker training is conducted.

October

The deadline for filing lists of candidates is Oct. 4.

The cut-off for voter registration is Oct. 10.

November

Late absentee balloting and early voting begins Nov. 2.

The deadline for write-in candidates is Nov. 4.

The deadline for contesting the results is Nov. 11.

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