DEPARTMENT: Elections
FILE TYPE: Regular Action
TITLE
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Authorization To Execute Joint Powers Agreement Between Dakota County And Cities And Townships In Dakota County To Conduct Postelection Review
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize the Assistant County Manager to execute joint powers agreements (JPA) between Dakota County and Cities and Townships to conduct the Postelection Review (PER.)
SUMMARY
Minn. Stat. ? 206.89 requires a postelection review of the state general election by a manual count of the ballots used in precincts selected by lot.
To streamline administration and ensure consistent procedures, the Election Department proposes to appoint and hire election judges who will conduct the post-election review across all selected precincts, rather than having each municipality recruit and utilize their own judges. Using county election judges will help to maintain uniform standards, party balance, and efficiency during the review process. The agreement automatically renews unless terminated.
Jurisdictions shall be billed only if their precinct(s) are selected and then only billed the actual cost of the hourly salary of election judges. The department implemented this approach in 2024 and it proved cost-effective and efficient.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends that the County Board authorize the Assistant County Manager to execute joint powers agreements (JPA) between Dakota County and Cities and Townships to conduct the Postelection Review (PER).
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
Minn. Stat. ? 206.89 mandates that the governing body responsible for each precinct selected for review must pay the costs incurred for that review. Any costs incurred by Dakota County for the postelection review will therefore be invoiced to selected municipalities according to statute after the election.
? None ? Current budget ? Other
? Amendment Requested ? New FTE(s) request...
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