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2020-074 November 3 ElectionDate: August 21, 2020 Report No. 2020-074 INFORMAL STAFF REPORT TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL SUBJECT: November 3, 2020 General and Special Elections BACKGROUND: The report provides information involving the November 3, 2020 General & Special Elections as well as the December 8, 2020 Runoff Election, if needed. DISCUSSION: On March 20, 2020, the General (Places 5, 6, and 7/Mayor) and Special (Districts 1 and 2) Elections were postponed to the November 3, 2020 Uniform Election date. The adopted ordinances were written in a way that would have required no further action from the City Council. On July 27, 2020, Governor Abbott extended the early voting period to three weeks. As a result, the ordinances must be amended to update the early voting period dates and will be submitted for adoption in September. NOVEMBER 3, 2020 GENERAL & SPECIAL ELECTION The early voting schedule is as follows: Each year, the City contracts with the Denton County Elections Department (County) to administer a joint election with other jurisdictions who will hold an election on any Uniform Election Date. Unlike for elections held in May, local political subdivisions are required to use county election precincts and county polling places for elections held on the November uniform date, pursuant to Title 4, Chapter 42, Subchapter A, Section 42.002, and Subchapter C, Section 42.0621 of the Election Code. The County does not anticipate having locations finalized until late September. Exhibit A, outlines the proposed locations within the City of Denton. Confirmation on some locations are still pending. As was reported at the August 4, Work Session, the County is diligently working to identify approximately 50 early voting locations as well as open a voting location in every county precinct that has 750+ registered voters. Canvassing of the elections is scheduled for the Regular City Council Meeting on Tuesday, November 17. The Runoff Election will be ordered at that time if necessary. More information will be provided after November 3 on how the canvassing and related issuance of the Certificate Date: August 21, 2020 Report No. 2020-074 of Election and Oaths/Statements of Office will be handled as we will be better able to gage how meetings need to be handled around that time. COST A cost estimate is not available at this time. The County confirmed participating jurisdictions that postponed elections to November 3, will be charged as if the elections were still being held in May. DECEMBER 8, 2020 RUNOFF ELECTION (if necessary) The early voting schedule is as follows: The contract with the County will also apply to the Runoff Election. Polling locations for early voting/election day will be determined at the time the election is ordered. The City will have more flexibility regarding the locations to be used. A Special Called City Council meeting will be needed to canvass these results and is being scheduled for Thursday, December 17. Outlook calendars will be updated. Again, more information will be provided after November 3 on how the canvassing and related issuance of the Certificate of Election and Oaths/Statements of Office will be handled as we will be better able to gage how meetings need to be handled around that time. COST The cost estimate is not typically available in advance of a runoff election as they vary, and are largely based on the number of participating jurisdictions. SOCIAL DISTANCING & SAFEGUARDS The County will provide a Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) station in all polling locations. This includes sanitizing stations, hand sanitizer, cleaning solutions, gloves, protective shields, etc. They remain committed toward ensuring social distancing to the extent possible at all polling locations. PUBLIC AWARENESS Election information was distributed in the recent Resident Update newsletter mailed to residents. The Notice of Election will be advertised twice for the General & Special Elections and once for the Runoff Election, if necessary. Staff will undertake efforts to promote early voting. Denton Date: August 21, 2020 Report No. 2020-074 County has also created a “Points of Interest” page that contains valuable reference information which we are placing on our Denton Vote page. CANDIDATE PACKET – MODIFIED The modified Candidate Packet is available here. It was modified to include information and deadlines for candidate filings in accordance to the Election Code, Texas Secretary of State, and Ethics Commission mandates which are applicable to any November 3, 2020 election candidate. CONCLUSION: As noted, the County has identified locations which must be used. However, if City Council desires to add location(s), the request will be submitted to the County who will have the final say on its potential use. Should they agree, the City will be obligated to pay the full cost for use of that facility. For any Runoff election, that restriction does not apply. Comments, suggestions or recommendations on the use of any locations within the City should be sent to the City Secretary’s Office by Friday, August 28. A work session will be scheduled in mid- September to report the results of input received. STAFF CONTACT: Rosa Rios City Secretary rosa.rios@cityofdenton.com 940-349-8309 REQUESTOR: Staff STAFF TIME TO COMPLETE REPORT: 3 hours ATTACHMENTS 1. Early Voting and Election Day Locations – Proposed Date: August 21, 2020 Report No. 2020-074 NOVEMBER 3, 2020 GENERAL & SPECIAL ELECTIONS - LOCATIONS Early Voting (City of Denton only) ELECTION DAY Indicates location has been confirmed. DECEMBER 8, 2020 RUNOFF ELECTION LOCATIONS Will be determined once it is determined if a Runoff Election is necessary and to which City Council seats it will apply.