FROM: Debby Cherney, Chief Executive Officer
SUBJECT: 2021 SBCERA Election
RECOMMENDATION:
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SBCERA Elections: Provide feedback on alternatives for conducting future SBCERA elections.
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BACKGROUND:
On March 15, 2021, staff held a call with the County Registrar of Voters (ROV) and County Administrative Office, at their request, regarding SBCERA’s upcoming 2021 election. The ROV expressed concern that due to our heavily manual process and their anticipated workload and staffing levels, they would strongly prefer that SBCERA pursue other alternatives to conduct our Board elections.
Staff would like to receive some initial feedback from the Executive Committee on some initial thoughts on alternatives for consideration, which would ultimately require changes to our existing policy on elections. Among the alternatives:
1. If possible, contract a third party through ROV for the 2021 election which keeps ROV in charge, but subcontracts the bulk of the mailing/counting work. This is apparently the way it was handled by a prior ROV. The ROV is following up to determine if this is a possibility.
2. Issue a Request for Proposals for third-party election providers. Staff has received recommendations from other 1937 Act systems which use a third-party provider. This may also allow the Board to consider a change in policy to allow a more contemporary “hybrid” voting, either by traditional paper ballot or by secure electronic vote.
3. Conduct the election internally. (Staff does not recommend this as an option.)
The existing timeline for the election may also need revisiting in order to accommodate a new provider.
BUDGET IMPACT:
None. Election costs through the ROV have varied widely in the past depending on how many seats in each election cycle and the number of eligible voters in each category.
STRATEGIC PLANNING GOAL/OBJECTIVE:
Effective Communications
STAFF CONTACT:
Debby Cherney
ATTACHMENTS:
None.