MINUTES OF MEETING OF APRIL 23, 2005 BOULDER COUNTY ELECTION REVIEW COMMITTEE
1. Call to Order, Roll Call
The meeting of the Boulder County Election Review Committee was held on APRIL 23, 2005, at 8:30 a.m. in Conference Room of the Raddison Hotel in Longmont. The meeting was called to order by Richard Lyons, Chairman, at 8:45 a.m.
The meeting was attended, at roll call, by the following Committee Members: Richard Lyons, Richard Harris, Hillary Hall, Michael Taylor, Jay Harbour, Tom Davidson, David Leeds and Linda Flack.
Paul Tiger arrived at 9:00 There was no representative of the office of Secretary of State.
2. Approval of minutes of previous meeting.
Minutes of the meeting held the day before were not available.
3. Public Comment
There were no members of the public in attendance at this meeting.
4. Other pending business including discussion of format for final report and mechanics of preparation/drafting.
Ms. Hall submitted a memorandum from Louella Pizzuti (louella@earthlink.net), titled Notes on Committee Report. She questions separating “narratives” (or findings) and solutions (recommendations). She suggests sections within each segment that discuss both the problem and the solution – in context.
Ms. Pizzuti also suggested that each section have its own executive summary or abstract. And she suggested this structure for each section:
Abstract Issue exploration with examples of impact Proposed issue solution (and cost if available)
The Committee decreed that Recommendations should be inserted after the Abstract, and that Issue exploration and Recommendations remain separate. Options that were considered but are not recommended should be included in the findings and conclusions (issue exploration)
It was agreed that each section should have its own abstract.
Ms. Pizzuli also suggested that a glossary of terms should be included with the report and she offered to collect terms as she goes through the document.
Regarding a glossary, it was agreed that a word needing definition should be defined the first time it is used and also added to the glossary.
In a discussion of the overall election situation, it was generally agreed that the term “Perfect Storm” describes it graphically. A contribution of all elements of the election process and decisions made prior to the election contributed to the problems, which resulted in the need for a Committee to review the situation.
Mr. Tiger reported that two pieces of election legislation have been proposed, and he believes that one will almost certainly pass. This resulted in a discussion of 2nd chance voting which is mandated by January 2006. Mr. Lyons read from the State Help America Vote Act (HAVA) regulations regarding 2nd chance voting.
Members acknowledged that interpretation of State HAVA is uncertain.
Ms. Flack pointed out that 2nd chance voting requires that counting occur at the precinct or voting center. This would require either Direct Record Electronic system (DRE), which informs the voter of an error, or a mechanism that rejects a ballot with voter error. She added that absentee voters are exempted from 2nd chance voting.
5. Board listing and prioritization of causes and other factors for delays, including recommendations.
Mr. Lyons thanked Mr. Harris for having copies made, of the documents that have been approved so far. Copies were handed out to all members.
(The meeting was recessed at 1:30 for a short lunch break, and resumed at 2:10.)
The Overall Recommendation was revised to accommodate State HAVA requirement for 2nd chance voting, and an addition was made to options considered but not recommended. Changes were approved by consensus.
The Hart Election System Narrative generated by Mr. Harris was presented for review with lengthy discussion regarding various elements of the system.
Mr. Tiger submitted a copy of the contract with Hart InterCivic. (EXHIBIT 43), and read from terms of the contract regarding Education of the Public and Training of Scan Operators. An amount of $60,000 was allocated in this section of the contract, funding a Voter Education Specialist.
Ms. Flack will add this information into the Planning, Training and Education section. Mr. Tiger will follow up with the Elections staff to inquire about performance.
After a discussion about various issues regarding the voting boxes on Ballot Now ballots, it was agreed that some wording about the marking of boxes would be included in the report. Mr. Taylor and Mr. Harris will propose additions as discussed.
Mr. Harris had some uncertainty about the designated labels in Figure 1 of the Hart narrative. He will ask Mr. Hansford to verify or correct the labels.
Additional minor changes will be made in the Hart narrative, to be reviewed again next week.
Recommendations and Narrative for the section titled External Factors Beyond the Control of the County Clerk, were generated by Mr. Tiger. They were reviewed and revised with input form Committee members. Drafts of both elements were approved by consensus.
The documents as approved are as follows:
(Please See Attachment)
The meeting adjourned for a short time, at 3:30, for a photographic session.
Mr. Lyons pointed out that drafts of all sections have been reviewed, revised and most have been approved. Some changes in format are needed. Mr. Lyons will write a draft abstract for each section.
The approved drafts will be submitted to the editor, Ms. Pizzuti, with the understanding that it is not the Committee’s completed work, but it will give her an opportunity to evaluate the extent of the task.
Ms. Hall stated that Ms. Pizzuti has asked permission to contact individual members of the Committee, if there are questions about their contribution to the report. Approval was granted, and Mr. Lyons will send names and e-mail addresses of members to the editor.
A meeting will be held on April 29 at 1:00 p.m. It is intended that a draft of the final report will be completed at that meeting. Mr. Lyons will notify members as to location of the meeting.
Mr. Lyons thanked Mr. Leeds for bringing refreshments for the day and Ms. Hall for her continued recording of revisions to draft documents.
6. Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 4:45 p.m. on unanimous approval of a motion made by Mr. Harbour and seconded by Mr. Harris.
______________________________
Recording Secretary
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