Sponsor: Property Tax, Records & Election Services
Title
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Joint Powers Agreement with the State of Minnesota for Election Recount Services
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Recommendation
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1. Approve the Joint Powers Agreement with the state of Minnesota for election recount services for the period upon execution through December 31, 2024.
2. Authorize the Chair and Chief Clerk to execute the Joint Powers Agreement.
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Background and Rationale
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The State of Minnesota is in need of election recount services pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 204C.35, subdivision 1 and Minnesota Rules, part 8235.0200 for the 2024 general election, as necessary.
Since the County Auditor is required to retain, in a secure fashion, voted ballots from the 2024 general election, and all the other documents required to properly conduct a recount, it has been the standard practice of Ramsey County to perform the recount duties on behalf of the state of Minnesota for the precincts located within Ramsey County. Historically, all counties in the state of Minnesota perform state recounts under an agreement with the state. This action will bring Ramsey County into consistency with the other counties if there is a statewide recount in 2024.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☐ Well-being ☐ Prosperity ☐ Opportunity ☒ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
By performing the recount duties on behalf of the state, Ramsey County will be able to equally employ election judges to conduct the recount who represent the racial demographics of Ramsey County. This action will redirect the additional payroll costs of a recount to Ramsey County resident election judges, not state employees.
Community Participation Level and Impact
This action will allow Ramsey County resident election judges to be involved with a state recount.
☐ Inform ☐ Consult ☒ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
The Joint Powers Agreement offers Ramsey County a reimbursement of $0.04 per ballot counted on the state’s behalf. The Ramsey County Elections Office anticipates close to 300,000 ballots will be cast in the 2024 general election in Ramsey County. A required recount for state offices that includes every precinct in Ramsey County, such as the office of President, would have an anticipated cost around $35,000. The state’s reimbursement would cover $12,000, the Ramsey County Elections Office will cover $23,000. A recount for state offices that only include a limited number of precincts, such as state legislative offices, would have an anticipated cost around $4,000. The state’s reimbursement would cover $1,000 and the Ramsey County Elections Office will cover $3,000.
Last Previous Action
Attachments
1. Joint Powers Agreement with the State of Minnesota
2. Appendix_A
3. Appendix B
4. Appendix C
5. Appendix D