AGENDA DATE: 2/19/2020
TITLE:
Title
Proposed Lease of Space for the Office of Voter Registration and Elections
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Approve the Proposed Lease of Space for the Office of Voter Registration and Elections
ITEM TYPE: Regular Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Henry, Kamptner, Herrick, Bessette, Stewart
PRESENTER (S): Stewart
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND:
Effective for the November 2020 election cycle, Virginia localities are required to provide for no-excuse absentee, in-person voting, commonly known as "early voting". HB 2790 enables early voting starting the second Saturday immediately preceding an election, continuing through the Saturday before the election (excluding Sunday). Citizens will be allowed to vote at any polling location that's made available to the public, rather than being limited to a specific polling location. Localities must allow voters to cast their ballot at the Office of the General Registrar, locally housed at the 5th Street County Office Building (COB 5th).
STRATEGIC PLAN: Quality Government Operations: Ensure County government's capacity to provide high quality service that achieves community priorities
DISCUSSION:
In states which have enacted similar laws, 30-60% of voters take advantage of the opportunity to vote early. Based on this, initial estimates indicate the need for the County to accommodate 500 voters per hour, and likely more on peak volume days and/or times of day.
The COB 5th building and parking areas cannot accommodate such volumes. Use of one or more satellite polling locations to supplement the COB 5th facilities are considered untenable for reasons of physical security, cyber security and the limited selection of sites with sufficient parking and floor space for extended durations.
Staff considered and now proposes the permanent relocation of the Office of Voter Registration and Elections (the Office of the ...
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