HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-09-14 EC MEMOI
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MEMORANDUM
TO: Chuck Reid, Assistant City Manager
FROM: Loucrishia Ellis, City Clerk
DATE: September 14, 1994
SUBJECT: Primary Election day complaints
Per your request I am providing information regarding incidents which occurred
at the Miller Building on Primary Election day, August 9, 1994.
I was unaware of any problems prior to a phone call from Celia Reed, Crime
Prevention Officer, Safety Services on August 17, 1994. Ms. Reed spoke to
Brenda Castle , Deputy City Clerk, who informed me of the problems. I spoke to
Marie Dymek, Public Education Specialist, Safety Services. Issues discussed
included :
-Ms. Reed and Ms . Dymek were unaware that the Miller Building
was an approved polling site;
-they felt Head Election Judge, Helene Tobin, was very rude ;
-Ms. Tobin was upset as she was unable to reach anyone on the
Monday prior to the election (at which time, as head election judge,
she was attempting to check out the polling place);
-the meeting room was set up the night before , but not to Ms.
Tobin's liking ;
-maintenance personnel did not let the election judges in until 6: 15
a.m . on August 9, 1994 Uudges are instructed to proceed with
setting up a polling place by 6:00 a.m. in order to make sure
everything is in order, i.e. voting machines operating properly).
I spoke to Jo Lay of the Arapahoe County Elections Office, on August 17, 1994
and she assured me that permission had been received by the County to use the
Miller Building as a polling place for the primary and general election. She faxed
me a copy of the approval form (attached) which had been completed by a City
staff member. Ms. Lay advised that she had received a complaint from Ms.
Tobin that:
-she had been treated rudely at the Miller building;
-the meeting room was not set up (City staff states the room was
set up, but not to Ms. Tobin's liking);
-the building was not accessible on the Monday preceding
the election.
I spoke to Chris Olson, Deputy Director, Safety Services on August 18, 1994
regarding the problems, which seem to stem primarily from lack of
communication. He expressed concern that there are no City personnel in the
Miller building after 5:00 p.m. and consequently it was left to the judges to
secure the building after the polls closed. We also discussed the fact that the
building is not handicapped accessible. Mr. Olson questioned whether another
building could be used for the November election.
I discussed the issues with Ms. Lay on August 18, 1994. She stated the
County's hands were "tied" for this election as the information cards have been
sent out. Also, locating a polling place within this specific county precinct has
traditionally proven to be difficult.
In order to alleviate potential problems on November 8, 1994 I asked Ms. Dymek
for a memorandum (attached) setting forth procedures .
I provided Ms. Lay of Arapahoe County with:
-the memorandum, dated August 19, 1994, from Marie Dymek;
-Ms. Castle's and my home phone number.
The Clerk's office has offered to assist the County and the personnel at the
Miller building as needed. Another point, maintenance personnel must be
properly advised of their responsibilities and the Clerk's office will confirm those
arrangements have been made .
Prior to the next polling place election we will discuss, with the County, the
possibility of using another facility for that county precinct.
If further clarification is needed please let me know, ext. 2407.
cc: Chris Olson, Deputy Director
Frank Gryglewicz, Director of Financial Services
RUG-17-1994 11:28 FROM RRRP CO CLRK/RECORDER TO 7891125 p. 02
9 me of facility Hit< EE /24-P4£.
Address .2"~tJ 2. GL,,4.rj ~T
Precinct I //~ __ __.;:;;.. ___ _
£e16 fd//a
Please answer the following questions and return to the Election department,
Arapahoe County Clerk 5334 S. Prince St, Littleton, Co. 80166 as soon as
possible i.n order tbst t'i.n.sl plans ma.;-be ma.de ror t.h~ 1994 Primary and Genera.1
elections.
1. Permission to ua«_ j;bc abo1-·e facility i:s g.ral2t'X! '?
Aug.91 1994 Yes~ No~~ Nov.8, 1994 Yes~ No~-
2 •• 1 5 1 · or 6 1 table is a•·a.il.able £or use by t;lle judges ?
3. Chairs are.available for use by the judges ?
Yes_k_
Yes.k
No_
No_
4. Is a telephone available ? Yes~ No_ Telephone number 7fL -~07 S
5. Pl es.se apcoify hours rou]) facili th"t" ll be opell ;fen: clel.i very and pickup of
voting equipment: ¥-S t_fv\_. ~' y
6, Will fa.cili ty be open and closed by you ur ,Yuur personnel ? Yes1._ Na_
7. If answer to questian number 6 is no, is a key available ? Yes_ No __ _
R. If the election judge may pickup a key the day before the election, please
-icate where and from whom in the space below. Yes __ No __ _
9. Are there any special instructions to be followed?
10. I.s this faci.lity accessible lu lhe liandica.pped ?
11. Is there a charge for the use of your facility ?
Yes __ No~
Yes __ No__k_
1 P,. I.c; el ectrics.1 power s .vailable where the voting machines will be~oca ted ?
Yes No __
13. Where will be stored after delivery and prior to
election ?
14. Name of authorized to give
Na.me
Add.z·es$
Telephone I Home
15.N.sme of person to coz2t&ct abuul: upening building, moving equipment, keys,
etc. (If same as above·, write same) .Vame ______ ..,-___________ ......::=;=·-a..--.VV' __ -e_;:_ ______________________ _
· id:rcss. ___________________________________________ _
ephone # Home _________________ Business
I YOU have questions regarding this request please Call OUr election department
795-4247.
TOTAL P.02