Drafter
Clerk 12/03/2015
Title
A MOTION requesting that the director of elections develop and transmit a plan to improve access to and convenience of ballot drop-off locations in King County.
Body
WHEREAS, the King County Strategic Plan 2010-2014 includes the objective to empower people to play an active role in shaping their future, via the strategy of providing accurate, secure and accessible elections, and
WHEREAS, voter turnout in King County for the November 2015 general election was historically low, at forty percent of registered voters, and
WHEREAS, voter turnout was also low, at twenty-five percent, in the August 2015 primary, and
WHEREAS, use of ballot drop-off locations has been above projections, at approximately twenty percent of August primary ballots and twenty-six percent for the November general election, demonstrating their popularity with voters, and
WHEREAS, the King County council passed Motion 12820 in July 2008 approving a plan for three regional voting centers and thirty-nine ballot drop boxes, but only twenty-five ballot drop-off locations, including twelve temporary mobile van locations with limited hours, were implemented in the November 2015 general election;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT MOVED by the Council of King County:
A. The director of elections is requested to develop and transmit to the council a plan to improve access to and convenience of ballot drop-off locations throughout King County, including:
1. A proposed number of additional drop-off locations to ensure geographic equity;
2. Proposed sites for the drop-off locations;
3. Estimated costs; and
4. An implementation timeline.
B. The plan should include an analysis of the feasibility and desirability of using all public library locations in King County, including Seattle Public Libraries and the King County Library System, as a means to ensure geographic equity and convenience for voters.
C. The plan should include an option for deployment of the expanded drop boxes for the November 2016 general election.
D. The director should transmit the plan by April 30, 2016, in the form of a paper original and an electronic copy to the clerk of the council, who shall retain the original and provide an electronic copy to all councilmembers, the council chief of staff, the
policy staff director and the lead staff for the government accountability and oversight committee or its successor.