Managing Multiple OneStop Sites

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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

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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?
• Whats involved?
• How do you prepare?
• What are other counties doing?

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Background for Workshop

• District 1 is greatly expanding its 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

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Groups

• Group 1 Why? Publicity
• Group 2 How to Prepare
• Group 3 Technology Security

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Group 1 (Part 1) Why?

• Why have multiple one-stop sites?
• What benefits do they bring?
• Working with County Commissioners Manager

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Group 1 (Part 2) Publicity

• What can you do to publicize?
• Conventional ways to publicize
• Now be creative/think outside of the box

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Group 2 How to Prepare

• How far out do you start planning?
• Whats 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?

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Group 3 (Part 1) Technology

• Whats 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?

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Group 3 (Part 2) Security

• How do you secure the site, equipment, ballots,
  supplies from day to day?

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Things to Consider

• Group Ideas
• Findings from District 1, Buncombe County, and
  Henderson County

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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

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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 youll need so youll
  get enough (May 2008 70K in labor alone)
• Service to constituents they hear the praise

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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
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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
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Group 2 How to Prepare

• Whats 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
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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 830AM 5PM)

GROUP IDEAS
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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
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Group 3 (Part 1) Technology

• Whats 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
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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
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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