Title
Supporting early voting by absentee ballot in City owned buildings.
Body
WHEREAS, Saint Paul voters may vote early by absentee ballot during the seven days prior to each election, as provided in Minn. Stat. § 203B.081; and
WHEREAS, a record number of Saint Paul voters cast their ballots during this time period in 2016; and
WHEREAS, the number of voters choosing to cast their ballots early is expected to grow rapidly in coming years; and
WHEREAS, the Ramsey County Elections Office conducts all City elections under contract between the City and the County; and
WHEREAS, it is in the interest of the City to have early voting at both the Elections Office and at other locations, including up to one in each Ward, convenient to the voters during the seven days before each general Election Day; and
WHEREAS, City-owned buildings operated by the Library and Parks and Recreation departments are now among the sites used as polling places on Election Day;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT,
RESOLVED, that the City Council directs authorizes the Library and Parks and Recreation departments to make their buildings and facilities available to the Ramsey County Elections Office for general elections to enable Saint Paul residents to vote early by absentee ballot during the time period provided by law; and Be It Further
RESOLVED, that the Library and Parks and Recreation Department shall work to adjust amend their schedule of regular activities at these buildings as needed reasonable to accommodate early voting activities during the time periods established by the Elections Office, expanding the practice previously limited to election day use; and Be It Further
RESOLVED, that these buildings and facilities be made available for early voting as a part of all state, county, city and school district general elections.