Travis County Commissioners Court
September 28, 2004
Item 58
We do have our county clerk here with us. Number 58, consider and take appropriate
action on notification from secretary of state -- move approval.
>> second.
>> discussion?
>> c is actually related to where the early voting locations
are and I just -- can we at least discuss that.
>> consider is voting location in the northwest part of the
county.
>> we got a letter sent to dana from representative baxter
raising questions about what's going on in Jonestown and whether there is
sufficient coverage out there and I was a bit surprised because when that
was my precinct we always seemed to have a mobile day, at least one, at the
Jonestown community center. I was surprised to see we have five days in lago,
which is a good thing because there are 12 to 18,000 people who live on north
shores, but there wasn't anything in Jonestown.
>> we did make the decision to put everything over in lago
vista this time because they are having their council election with us. If
the court doesn't agree with that judgment call, we can take one of those
days and put it back in Jonestown. It's not a problem. We were trying to pay
extra close attention the our partner who is on the ballot with us. That was
all it was.
>> if anybody is asking, I would actually request -- there
are four days in a row that we're adding at city hall. In addition to the
previous week there's one out the island which is another section off bogy
ford, there are different areas. I would really request at least one of those
days gets back to Jonestown. We've got the senior lunch program that's out
there. There are a lot of folks that come into Jonestown and I would make
the request that one of hose lago city hall days gets back to Jonestown. It's
still on north shore so somebody that wants to swing by Jonestown can identity,
but I really -- can do it, but I really feel like it's a missing piece.
>> that is perfectly fine with me. We'll ask them what they
think their best day is and whatever that day is, we'll just pull those resources
and have them go to Jonestown for that day, if that's what you want me to
do.
>> this will be different --
>> it's a mobile day.
>> it's different than what representative baxter is asking
in that he would like to have a permanent early voting location.
>> correct. And we can -- i've told the court many times
i'll run as many early voting locations you want and agree to pay for. I would
like to make sure that y'all are clear that when we add one early voting location,
we -- especially if it's a permanent one, we then go back and balance out
according to Commissioner districts and legislative districts to make sure
it's all really balanced. So it really turns out to be about four locations
when you try to add one because we are in balanced mode right now. The other
thing I would say about this particular request is I will do this if you want
me to, but really this request is not timely for me to be able to take action
for the November presidential. If you would like for it to be for the next
election, we can certainly do that, but I’m already locking down the ballots
and assigning everything. We had proofing on Friday. So it's not exactly a
timely request.
>> but on a mobile, it's something that is way doable.
>> absolutely.
>> and that's consistently what we have been doing out there
is a Jonestown day.
>> that's right.
>> put it on the March key and it really --
>> are you interested in doing a mobile for Jonestown?
>> I can. Same locations. We know the location. We select
a day. If you want to we can roll this item until next week.
>> location would be at the Travis County rural community
center?
>> yes, sir, their recreation center.
>> my motion would be we approve that order, but that there
be one day that the clerk will figure out is the best day in consultation
with everybody moving to Jonestown to the rural community center.
>> we would be happy to do it.
>> so on 58-a we move a Jonestown mobile to add.
>> add.
>> and a deduct on a lago vista city hall.
>> that's understandable. I’m in agreement with that and
dana, I know you are coming to my office to work on this permanent location,
but I also understand it's pretty difficult to do it for the November election.
But I think we can work it out. I think once you come over, we'll get this
thing worked out for the permanent deal that todd is asking for.
>> for the benefit of the court, we already have a meeting
scheduled to discuss this.
>> I have a vote before you vote on that. You've already
approved in 56 the joint election agreement with lago vista. Would that impact
the cost? Because they are paying for some days, I think, lago vista is. Is
that going to impact this other agreement?
>> I doubt it because it's on the basis -- their obligation
is on the basis of actual cost. So if they end up spending a little less,
I’m sure they will be happy about that.
>> right. Okay.
>> and we also do --
>> it's a per precinct thing.
>> we also are doing -- we don't do what they normally do
when they hold an election. We offer a polling place in every precinct. For
their typical city council elections they tend to consolidate into one or
two places. So their voters are going to actually get better coverage with
us.
>> okay.
>> motion is to approve 58-a with an addition of a mobile
location in Jonestown. All in favor? That passes by unanimous vote. 58-b,
in order tore the amended -- an order for the amended election day polling
places.
>> move approval.
>> second.
>> discussion? All in favor? That passes by unanimous vote.
We don't need c now, right?
>> no action at this time. Come back later.
>> would you send a letter to representative baxter to let
him know the Commissioners court did take up this request?
>> and I did call him prior to this to let him know it was
scheduled, the discussion, and what some of the issues were.
>> i'll talk to him.
>> anything under 58-d, other related issues?
>> not at this time. However, I would appreciate it if we
could create this as a rolling item from week to week so I can be timely in
bringing any information to you.
>> will you submit to my office appropriate wording?
>> yes, sir. Although I did think the wording on 58 could
be continued tporbd, the existing wording.
>> we wouldn't need a, b and c.
>> no.
>> you are talking about the header.
>> I can resubmit it to you if you would like.
>> appreciate it.
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Last Modified: Thursday, October 27, 2005 9:22 AM