Agenda

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Item # 12.

Work Session and Regular Meeting

Meeting Date:	01/08/2019
Department:	City Secretary

AGENDA CAPTION:

Present, Discuss, and Consider Action on an Ordinance Calling and Ordering the May 4, 2019 General Election.

BACKGROUND:

A general election is conducted each May to elect representatives to the Addison City Council as necessary. The attached Ordinance establishes the procedures for the May 4, 2019 General Election in accordance with state law and the Town's Home Rule Charter. The election is called to elect a mayor and three (3) City Council Members.

The first day to file for a place on the May ballot is January 17, 2019. The last day to file is February 16, 2019 at 5:00 pm.

The Town will enter into a Joint Election Contract with the Dallas County Election Administration for the May 4, 2019 election.

Should the election be uncontested and unnecessary, the Town will have the opportunity to cancel the election in accordance with the Election Code.

All procedures will remain the same as in previous years; however, Staff requests reconsideration of the use of Fire Station #2 as one of the Town's polling locations on election day. The main issue with the use of Fire Station #2 is the lack of dedicated space to accommodate voting operations. Voting is conducted in the vehicle bays which require the removal of fire apparatus to accommodate voting operations. Additionally, election equipment and supplies are delivered and collected a week or two before and after the election and storage of the equipment and supplies is a concern. Finally, the limited bathroom facilities at Fire Station #2 prevents staff from being able to separate voters and election officials from the fire station office and housing areas, especially when fire fighters are responding to emergency calls. To improve the election day experience for voters and election officials, it is proposed that the election day activities be moved from Fire Station #2 to the Addison Athletic Club.

RECOMMENDATION:

Administration recommends approval of the ordinance and Staff requests direction from Council regarding the relocation of a polling location from Fire Station #2 to the Addison Athletic Club.

Attachments
Ordinance - Calling May 4, 2019 General Election