Bocc Committee Of The Whole March 26, 2009

Election Office UpdateElection Office UpdateBOCC Committee of the Whole

Brian D. NewbyElection CommissionerElection CommissionerJohnson County, KansasMarch 26, 2009

Session Objectives

Today’s meeting is intended to:

• Provide a snapshot of the Election Office and role of the ov de s ps o o e ec o O ce d o e o eElection Commissioner.

• Provide a summary of the administration of the 2008 presidential election in Johnson County.

• Identify operational considerations for 2010 and 2012 elections.

2Brian D. Newby, March 26, 2009

Elections as Public PolicyIt should be recognized that election issues facing JohnsonRetrofit Fleet of 1,881 TSx MachinesIt should be recognized that election issues facing Johnson County are public policy issues that require the same consideration by the Board of County Commissioners as other service levels with other agencies.service levels with other agencies.

Considerations of election policy and equipment decisions• What are the legal ramifications state and federal of any

Put Machines on Ice, Go Paper

• What are the legal ramifications—state and federal—of any service level change?

• Will any change limit our service level options in the future?• What is the possibility of stranded investment?• Will action now limit or prevent future cost recovery from

f d l t t ?federal or state sources?


Voting is Local


Election Laws/RegulationsElections fall under federal and stateElections fall under federal and state oversight:

• National Voter Registration Act (NVRA)National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) governs list maintenance activities

• Help America Vote Act (HAVA) governs election administration

• Election Assistance Commission (EAC) certifies all equipment and approves votingcertifies all equipment and approves voting system standards

• Uniformed and Overseas Civilian Absentee Voters Act specifies laws for military voters

• State statutes detail election requirementsS t f St t St d d l if d• Secretary of State Standards clarify and enhance state requirements

Brian D. Newby, March 26, 2009 5

National Voter Registration Act

• Purpose of the Act:I th b f iti h i t• Increase the number of citizens who register

• Enhance participation of eligible citizens• Protect the integrity of electoral processg y p• Ensure accurate & current voter registration rolls

• Engage government agencies in voter registration:• Assistance Agencies• Department of Motor Vehicles

• County Responsibilities:• County Responsibilities:• Maintain an accurate list of voters• Reportingp g


Election Office Responsibilities

The Election Office is responsible for conducting a program that makes a reasonable effort to remove names of registrants who have:Di dDiedMoved to another County or State Inactive voters removed for failure to vote in two consecutive Inactive voters removed for failure to vote in two consecutive

federal general electionsRequested to be removedAre no longer eligible to vote

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Election Office Responsibilities

1) Mail two notices non‐forwardable first class mail

2) Transfer of voters to “inactive” status2) Transfer of voters to inactive status‐ Maintain for two full federal election cycles (4 years)

‐ Or through the second general election for federal office following the date the voter was transferred to inactive.

When we conduct a full voter mailing we get thousands of mail pieces to verify.


Relevant Legislative Authority19 3419a Salaries and car allowance of election commissioners The election commissioners in19-3419a. Salaries and car allowance of election commissioners. The election commissioners in any county shall receive a salary in an amount to be fixed by resolution of the board of county commissioners of the county.

The election commissioner shall receive a car allowance in an amount to be fixed by resolution of th b d f t i ithe board of county commissioners.

19-3420. Assistant election commissioners; appointment, salary; expenses. The election19 3420. Assistant election commissioners; appointment, salary; expenses. The election commissioner shall appoint one assistant, known as assistant election commissioner, who shall receive an annual salary to be fixed by the election commissioner and shall be paid in the same manner as other county officers and employees, and in addition the election commissioner shall certify to the board of county commissioners the amount necessary for clerk hire and expense, which amount shall boa d o cou y co ss o e s e a ou ecessa y o c e e a d e pe se, w c a ou s abe allowed by the board of county commissioners of said county. The board of county commissioners shall also authorize the statutory mileage allowance provided for in K.S.A. 75-3203 for the assistants of the election commissioner, to provide and maintain means of travel within their county. In counties having a population of more than two hundred thousand (200,000) the election commissioner shall g p p ( , )appoint two (2) assistants, known as assistant election commissioners who shall be paid as provided for in this act.


Relevant Legislative Authority19 3424 i i i i i f i19-3424. Powers, authority and duties; ward and precinct boundaries; notices of elections; printing ballots; election contests; budget. The election commissioner, as a part of his or her official duties shall have and exercise the following powers and authority:

(a) Such commissioner shall establish and fix the boundaries of wards and precincts within the county and in all cities the greater part of the population of which is located in said county. Such commissioner shall accept and file nomination and declaration papers of candidates and declarations of party affiliation.

(b) Such commissioner shall give notice by publication in the official county paper, at least fifteen ( ) g y p y p p ,(15) days before the holding of any election, except as otherwise provided by law, of the time of holding such election, and the officers at that time to be chosen, and any other matters to be voted upon.

(c) Such commissioner shall publish notice giving the proper party designation if required by law(c) Such commissioner shall publish notice giving the proper party designation if required by law, the title of each office, the names and addresses of all persons seeking national and state offices and as certified to such county election officer by the secretary of state, as provided by law, and of all persons from whom nomination papers or declarations have been filed with such election officer as provided by law giving the name and address of each the title to such office the day of the election the hoursby law, giving the name and address of each, the title to such office, the day of the election, the hours during which the polls will be open and the location of the voting place in each precinct or area, and mail to all persons whose nomination or declaration papers are on file with such election officer, a copy of the first issue containing such publication notice.


Relevant Legislative Authority19 3424 ( ) i i i i i f19-3424 (cont). Powers, authority and duties; ward and precinct boundaries; notices of elections; printing ballots; election contests; budget. The election commissioner, as a part of his or her official duties shall have and exercise the following powers and authority:

(d) Such commissioner shall have charge of the printing of the ballots for all elections to which this act applies held within the county, or held within any city, school district, township or drainage district located in said county. Such commissioner shall conduct negotiations for the letting of the contract to print such ballots and shall let the contract, with the approval of the board of county commissioners.

(e) Such commissioner shall be the clerk of the court for the trial of contested elections except national and state elections, and all intentions to contest any election shall be filed with said election commissioner, and shall proceed in accordance with any laws of the state dealing with the subject.

On or before July 15 of each year the election commissioner shall certify to the board of countyOn or before July 15 of each year, the election commissioner shall certify to the board of county commissioners an itemized statement showing the amount necessary to pay the salary of the election commissioner, the deputy election commissioner and other employees in the office of the election commissioner and other expenses of said office during the next ensuing budget year and the county commissioners shall cause the same to be included in the county budget for such ensuing budget yearcommissioners shall cause the same to be included in the county budget for such ensuing budget year. 19-3435. Same; how salaries and expenses paid. That the salaries and expenses of the office of the election commissioner as in this act provided, the cost of printing and distributing the ballots and all other expenses connected with county-wide elections whether primary, general or special elections, in counties having an election commissioner shall be paid by the county The expense of all drainage

11

counties having an election commissioner, shall be paid by the county. The expense of all drainage district elections shall be paid by the drainage district holding such election from the general fund of such drainage district.

Brian D. Newby, March 26, 2009

Relevant Legislative Authority19 343 i i i i f ffi f h19-3435a. Election commissioner; salaries and expenses of office; tax levy, use of proceeds. The board of county commissioners in any county having an election commissioner, is hereby authorized to make a tax levy in each year, in such amount as may be necessary in order to provide the necessary fund for the payment of the salaries and expenses of the office of the election commissioner and of l i id d f i K S A 19 3435 d i f h i i l d ielection expenses as provided for in K.S.A. 19-3435 and to pay a portion of the principal and interest

on bonds issued under the authority of K.S.A. 12-1774, and amendments thereto, by cities located in the county. Said tax levy shall be in addition to all other tax levies authorized or limited by law and shall not be subject to nor within the aggregate tax levy limit prescribed by K.S.A. 79-1947, or acts

d h famendatory thereof.

These are only samples of election legislation The entireThese are only samples of election legislation. The entire section 25 of Kansas statutes applies to elections and many

items in Section 19 apply as well.


Johnson County Election OfficeThe Election Office supports Johnson County voters throughThe Election Office supports Johnson County voters through the Election Office mission statement: Administer the Election Process and Promoting Voter Participation.

• Election Commissioner is appointed by the Secretary of State.

• All Election Office employees are county employees.

• 18.0 FTEs approved

• 2.0 FTEs are vacant

• Approximately 200 temporary employees work in busyApproximately 200 temporary employees work in busy election cycles.

• Approximately 1,500-2,200 election workers are needed

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pp y , ,for a full-county election, depending on projected turnout.


Voter Registration Transactions

Monthly Average Registration Transactions

21,905

20,000

25,000

13,222

11,281

13,09015,000

5,0834,771

7,904

3,115

7,500

4,479 4,5895,000

10,000

,

0

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

14

Presidential Gubernatorial County


Voter Registration Trendlines

21 90525,000

Presidential25,000

Gubernatorial25,000

County

13,222

21,905

10,000

15,000

20,000

,

10,000

15,000

20,000

,

10,000

15,000

20,000

,

5,083

0

5,000

2000 2004 2008

0

5,000

1998 2002 2006

0

5,000

1999 2001 2003 2005 2007

Presidential Linear (Presidential)Gubernatorial Linear (Gubernatorial)County

All election years show similar trendlines resulting in anAll election years show similar trendlines, resulting in an average workload increase of 300 percent. In 2009, The election office will process more than 10,000 registration

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transactions per month.


Th El i Offi b i i h i i d f ll

Website/Phone Calls• The Election Office website is the most visited of all

county websites.• The website has been named “The Gold Standard” by• The website has been named “The Gold Standard” by

The Kansas City Star and was one of the top-five Government to Citizen websites in the country inGovernment to Citizen websites in the country in 2007 by the Center for Digital Government.

• The site’s last refresh was 2006 and is maintained by yan employee who also oversees all payroll, budget, human resource, and facility issues for our office.

• The website’s sole purpose is to reduce phone calls, thus reducing costs.


Website/Phone Calls

October phone call volume was similar in 2008 and 2004, but phone calls on election day in 2008 were 3,600 less than in 2004, suggesting an impact from advance voting

d t h ff tand outreach efforts.

Th b i h dThe two websites had more than one million unique visits,

Oct. 3-Nov. 6


J h C t V tJohnson County Voters

Johnson County, KansasPopulation 530 000 Registered Voters 350 000Population 530,000 Registered Voters 350,000

Registered Voters 350,000


Johnson County, Kansas• Population 530 000• Population 530,000

• Registered Voters 350,000• 47 percent Republican• 47 percent Republican

• 29 percent Unaffiliated

• 23 percent Democratic

• 1 percent Libertarian and Reform1 percent Libertarian and Reform

• 284 polling places in November 2008 election.

• 4 advance voting locations in November 2008• 4 advance voting locations in November 2008.

• 148 polling places in April 2009.

• 1 advance voting location in April 2009.


Johnson County

Potential Benefits Potential Drawbacks744,059

644,559700,000

800,000

451,086

550,904

513 333500,000

600,000

,

270,269355,054

312,788385,633

513,333451,191

200 000

300,000

400,000

155,769 173,570

0

100,000

200,000

01980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030

Population Voter Registration

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Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, Johnson County Election Office, Mid-America Regional Council


2008 El ti S2008 Election Summary

Takeaways from 2008:

2008 SnapshotTakeaways from 2008:

• Johnson County presidential turnout was more than 78 percent and appears to be the second largest for a community of thisand appears to be the second largest for a community of this size in the country that does not vote exclusively mail-ballot.

• Advance voting for that election was more than 50 percent. No g plarge community had such a high advance voting share and had more than 75 percent overall turnout.

• Johnson County’s Election Office is noted as a top-five county service in terms of citizen satisfaction and a top-fivedepartment in terms of employee engagementdepartment in terms of employee engagement.

• The success in administrating 2008’s elections is not sustainable without significant investment in employees,

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g p y ,facilities, and our voters.


Johnson County StatisticsR i t d V t T t l V t d T t %Registered Voters Total Voted Turnout %

Year JoCoPop Growth% November Growth% November Growth% November Trend

1960 143 792 77 420 65 033 84%1960 143,792 77,420 65,033 84%

1964 177,137 23% 84,059 9% 72,483 11% 86% 2%

1968 212,245 20% 100,610 20% 88,314 22% 88% 2%

1972 231 933 9% 120 407 20% 104 136 18% 86% -1%1972 231,933 9% 120,407 20% 104,136 18% 86% -1%

1976 243,953 5% 140,956 17% 117,040 12% 83% -3%

1980 266,489 9% 155,769 11% 125,637 7% 81% -2%

1984 283 666 6% 169 773 9% 141 715 13% 83% 3%1984 283,666 6% 169,773 9% 141,715 13% 83% 3%

1988 328,537 16% 185,727 9% 155,267 10% 84% 1%

1992 374,801 14% 222,815 20% 197,265 27% 89% 5%

1996 411,635 10% 246 497 11% 192 202 -3% 78 0% -11%1996 411,635 10% 246,497 11% 192,202 3% 78.0% 11%

2000 451,086 10% 312,788 27% 218,486 14% 70% -8%

2004 496,691 10% 348,552 11% 259,599 19% 75% 5%

2008 532,215 7% 364,441 5% 285,001 10% 78.2% 3%

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2008 532,215 7% 364,441 5% 285,001 10% 78.2% 3%


Advance Voting--Presidential50 f d i d Th di ib i l i

In-Person Advance 86,020

50 percent of voters voted in advance. The distribution results in three distinct elections—in person advance, advance by mail, and in-person at the polls. In Person Advance 86,020

By-Mail Advance 55,585In-Person Election Day 143,396Total 285,001*

p p

*--provisional votes distributed proportionately to election night totals

(In-Person Election Day)(In-Person Advance)(By-Mail Advance)


Advance VotingAlmost half of Johnson County’s in-person advance totals wereAlmost half of Johnson County s in person advance totals were from non-county owned locations.

In-Person Johnson County Election Office 29,695In-Person Metcalf South 22,883In-Person Shawnee 18,025


In-Person Johnson County Northeast Office 15,417Total 86,020

Polling Places by the NumbersJohnson County Polling Places and Registered VotersJohnson County Polling Places and Registered Voters

Presidential Elections 1996 - 2008

360,000348 552

350 400,000

312,788

348,552

250

300

300,000

350,000

246,497

200

ng P

lace

s

200,000

250,000

ered

Vot

ers

1,086 Voters per

1,208Voters per

Polling Place

1,219 Voters per

Polling Place

1,281Voters per

Polling Place

100

150

Polli

n

100,000

150,000 Regi

steVoters per

Polling Place

Polling Place

2842862592270

50

0

50,000

25

1996 2000 2004 2008


But In Johnson County It Almost Is

Freedom Isn’t Free……But In Johnson County, It Almost Is

Of the 284 polling places Johnson County utilized in 2008:

50 P id Total polling place rent, Aug. and Nov.50 Paid Total polling place rent, Aug. and Nov. 2008, estimated: $5,000

234 Free

• Johnson County’s Election Office was able to negotiate $2,000 y g ,in total rent at Metcalf South for advance voting in August and November 2006.

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• 2008 rent for two sites was $30,000.


Advance Voting BenefitsIn person advance voting creates a better voting experience:In-person advance voting creates a better voting experience:

• Voter convenience—allows voters to vote on their terms.

• Election workers are more seasoned—working daily instead of two or three times a year.

V ti hi tili ti d th t ’ ll it l• Voting machine utilization reduces the county’s overall capital investment.

November 2008 Machine Utilization Percentage

Each advance voting site reduced the need for 40 polling places and 200


polling places and 200 voting machines.

2008 PromotionThe Election Office aggressivelyThe Election Office aggressively promoted advance voting. The BOCC approved a requested $223,000, knowing theElection Office might request anadditional $90,000 in the summer.$ ,

A polling place awareness program was centered around the JocoPolo creative theme that will include a specific Web site, www.jocopolo.org, and a leveraged , j p g, gcorporate sponsors. The extra $90,000—while it would have been well-spent—was not requested due to the success of our

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not requested due to the success of our outreach agency, Whitworth-Ballou.


Federal Service Voters

2000d

Growth in Federal Service Ballots

1000

1500

530

11651515

ots

Issu

ed

0

500

Bal

lo

2000 2004

2008

Presidential Elections

Literally, each of these voters requires the involvement of a staff member to ensure ballots are received and returned . It would be the equivalent of one

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sales person managing the Fortune 1500 companies.


Inflection Points

• Investment is needed regardless of advance voting direction Johnson County takes in 2010:– Human Capital issues exist with existing staff load,

salaries, and election worker pay.– Physical Capital issues exist in terms of additional

voting machines (if more polling places are utilized) or rent (if ad ance oting locations are emphasi ed) Therent (if advance voting locations are emphasized). The actual Election Office facility either needs repair, expansion or replacementexpansion, or replacement.


Human Capital Issues

• Staffing levels are the same as they were 14 years ago.Staffing y y g

• Salaries are not competitive with Outside psmaller Wyandotte County.Equity

I t l • Positions are not rated equitably within the county.

Internal Equity

Election Workers

• The last election worker pay increase was in 2006; even a $10 increase in 2010 is $30 000 +

30

Workers increase in 2010 is $30,000 +.


Human Capital Issues

400,000

Johnson-Wyandotte Election Office Comparison

300,000

350,000

400,000National average of voters served per full-time employee is 6,000,

according to the National Association of Election Officials

200,000

250,000

of Election Officials

100,000

150,000

0

50,000

Registered Voters 2008 Voters served per staff Average Salary (2007)Johnson 363,957 22,747 $44,845Wyandotte 91,183 12,158 $50,502


Johnson County Govt. Dept. Head Salaries 2007180,000

140,000

160,000

100,000

120,000Average $116,500

60 000

80,000

Elections $92,378

20 000

40,000

60,000

0

20,000

Source: Kansas City Star website 32

Physical Capital IssuesThe Election Office is mandated as an Advance Voting location. g

During the Presidential Election, traffic congestion on Kansas City Road, limited parking in the lot, and voting machine and

other deliveries created an unsafe environment for voters, drivers and staff.

In addition, advance voting locations take considerable staff time to negotiate leases, often having one lease fall through after a 30 da process onl to start the c cle again Ad ance otinga 30-day process only to start the cycle again. Advance voting

locations receive rent while polling places generally do not.

The current facility in its present state cannot handle another Presidential election. Now is the time to commit to securing a

facility that will serve future needs or invest heavily into

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facility that will serve future needs or invest heavily into renovations and repairs of this facility.


Physical Capital IssuesOverhangs to the dock

doors were never replaced; equipment becomes wet when loaded in the rain.

Employees park in the grass and mud, i i d l iarriving and leaving

in the dark.

This is the secure ballot drop box that was

inadequate in 2008.

One of many areas in need of repair in the

parking lot

inadequate in 2008.

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parking lot.


Johnson County has arguably the most

Voter Investment IssuesJohnson County has arguably the most engaged voters in the nation. These voters have high expectations and their

tili ti f th El ti Offiutilization of the Election Office supports those expectations be met.

In 2008, the BOCC devoted $230,000 of an approximate $320,000 request for

t h Th El ti Offioutreach. The Election Office recognized this was the highest amount ever allocated for any outreach project (not just elections) by the BOCC and did not come back for the remaining amount However this higher amount

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amount. However, this higher amount will be necessary for 2012.


Tough economic times aside investments must be made in

Considerations for 2010 and 2012Tough economic times aside, investments must be made in elections to maintain service levels and to meet Johnson County’s legal obligations to conduct elections.

• Without investment, particularly in human capital, satellite advance voting will have to be scaled back.

• However, County-owned facilities cannot handle advance voting now, let alone growth.

• Lines would increase at polling places, leading many to leave and not vote. Plus, the increased workload with no pay increase will make it increasingly difficult to obtain election workerswill make it increasingly difficult to obtain election workers.

• “Splitting shifts,” while now allowed by law, brings about its own cost increases because of additional hiring and training

36

g gexpense.


Appendix AAppendix AElection Calendar 2005-2009

Johnson County Elections, 2005

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

BV 229

SH 230

1

2SH 230

GE 231

Spring General

Spring Primary

3

4

5

Gardner Parks & Recreation

Roeland Pk Ward 4

Merriam City

6

7

8

County Tax Question9

Merriam Recall?

Spring Hill Recalls? (2)

Regularly Scheduled Elections Special Elections

5-City General

5-City PrimaryA

B

10

11

37

Mail Ballot Polls RecallPrimary General

g y p




5-City General

5-City Primary10

11 5 City General

Primary – Partisan

11

12

General - Gubernatorial13


2007 Spring General

2007 Spring Primary14

15

38


g y p




Countywide General

Countywide Primary14

15 Countywide General15

Spring Hill 23016

DeSoto School District17

Olathe School District

Overland Park

18

19


2008 Spring General

2008 Spring Primary ?

21

20

39


g y p




5-City General

5-City Primary

21

Overland Park 19

20

5 City General

Primary – Partisan23

21

Lenexa 22

General - Presidential24


2009 Spring General


26

40


g y p




Spring General

Spring Primary

26

25

Spring General26


2010 Spring General


28

41


g y p


Appendix BAppendix BElection Trend Summary

Johnson County Residents Have High Expectations B A S i fi d1

Election Business Drivers2

Each Election is Unique April 7 2005 But Are Satisfied With ElectionsThe Election Office’s reputation is strong and among the Top 5 in citizen

1 qThe next election won’t be like the last, which wasn’t like the last. Elections exist in a constantly changing, dynamic environment.

Johnson County2005 Community Survey

by

April 7, 2005

among the Top 5 in citizen satisfaction.

Johnson County’s Growth Creates Scale Issues…

3 …While Generating Staffing NeedsJohnson County’s Election Office is extremely 4

ETC Institute

V t S d P St ff M b i K El ti C i i C ti

Johnson County will be the metropolitan area’s most populated county by 2030. Growth drives new registration, new districts, and precinct development, as well as election support issues Even

Johnson County s Election Office is extremely efficient, administering more voters per employee than any other large Kansas county.

4

Voters Served Per Staff Member in Kansas Election Commissioner Counties

50000

60000

70000

well as election support issues. Even small needs are magnified in the budget because of the large number of polling locations and voters.

557945.3125

63278.875

43683.9

34225.8

26381.25

36688.625

23086.8 22868.6666710000

20000

30000

40000

Vot

ers

Ser

ved

Election Activists Impact OperationsSecurity and operating procedures have been enhanced or added,

i ddi i l kl d f h l i ll i i

5

0Voters Served Per Staff Member in 2004 Voters Served Per Staff Member in 2005

Johnson Sedgwick Shawnee Wyandotte

43

generating additional workload for each election, as well as increasing staff time spent with the Kansas Legislature on election issues.


Privacy, Identity Theft Grow As Voter Concerns Recruitment of Polling Locations and

7Election Business Drivers

6Voters are reacting to frequent identity theft reports by refusing to sign ballot envelopes and questioning record and website security. Election Office responses to these issues have new

Recruitment of Polling Locations and Election Workers is Becoming DifficultCreativity has been needed to maintain the nearly 300 polling locations and recruit and retain 1,500+ election workers.

“Another week, another few million confidential

records lost” responses to these issues have new budget implications.

Voter Outreach Is Needed and Required

Advance Voting Takes Pressure Off Polling Sites But Infrastructure 9 HAVA

2002

records lostInfoWorld headline

June 10, 2005

qLegislation drives budget needs for voter education and an annual county-wide mailing. Even a simple postcard costs $100,000 or more to produce and mail.

8Polling Sites, But Infrastructure Has Become Stressed The Election Office cannot physically support advance voting without facility improvements. More satellite locations are needed to respond to

9 2002

pthe advance voting increases.

10

90,000

100,000

Transparency vs. Public SafetyVoters want and deserve election processes that are

transparent. Many laws and processes have been created to preserve voter confidentiality and secure the overall election administration.

h l h b h d b bl bl

14 414

57,236

37,090

42,250

61,615

36,535

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

70,000

80,000

Vot

ers

Technology such as You Tube, camera phones, and web blogs enable voters to test the boundaries between open government and election security.

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14,414

0

10,000

1996 2000 2004P re sid e n tia l Ele ctio n Ye a r

In P ers on B y M ail


Appendix CAppendix CVoting Machine Technology

Johnson County has used voting machines as the primary

Voting Technology Johnson County has used voting machines as the primary method for more than 40 years, since 1966.

• Voters authorized the county to purchase voting machines• Voters authorized the county to purchase voting machines.

• For most under the age of 65, voting on machine, rather than paper, has been the method of voting the entire time they havepaper, has been the method of voting the entire time they have voted in Johnson County.

• Johnson County moved to touch-screen voting machines in y g2001 and implemented them in 2002.

• These machines were bought from Global Election Systems, a company acquired by Diebold shortly after Johnson County’s 2001 equipment purchase.


Adoption of new technology is primarily out of Johnson

Future of Voting Technology Adoption of new technology is primarily out of Johnson County’s control.

• Since the adoption of the Help America Vote Act all• Since the adoption of the Help America Vote Act, all equipment developed for elections must be federally certified.

• The current process has taken more than 3 years.The current process has taken more than 3 years.

• Systems in Kansas must be certified by the state and also follow the Election Assistance Commission’s Voluntary Voting y gSystems Guidelines, considered mandatory in Kansas.

• These guidelines take several years to be adopted and even more time before they are implemented, putting significant changes to elections at least 10 years away.


Johnson County was the first community to use touch-screen

Paper or Plastic?Johnson County was the first community to use touch screen voting machines at polling locations. Now, Johnson County is one of the last communities to use paperless touch-screen

hi M iti i i b ll tmachines. Many communities are again using paper ballots.

Paper Perception• Less susceptible to fraud.

Reality• The potential for fraud is what drove the use Less susceptible to fraud.

• Elections are cheaper.

of voting machines. Voter intent questions come to the forefront, leaving more elections decided by courts and governing bodies.

• Few ballot printing vendors, use of natural p

• People can wait a few days for results.

resources, and transportation costs of heavy items, along with human resources, make this significantly more operationally expensive.

• We live in a 10 o’clock news society. Voter p yand candidate expectations are that most or all results will be available by the nightly news.

Any change—to paper-based touch screen machines or paper scanning at the polls—ld i ddi i l i l i f h $2 illi h

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would require additional capital investment of more than $2 million. Johnson County’s voting machine fleet of 2,100 machines is worth about $5 million.


Bocc Committee Of The Whole March 26, 2009

News & Politics

Transcript of Bocc Committee Of The Whole March 26, 2009