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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 12-18-2018 4-a - November 6, 2018 General Election Follow-up Report 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: December 11, 2018 Action Agenda Item No. 4-a SUBJECT: November 6, 2018 General Election Follow-up Report DEPARTMENT: Board of Elections ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Rachel Raper, Elections Director, (919) 245-2351 PURPOSE: To provide a follow-up report on the November 6, 2018 General Election held in Orange County. BACKGROUND: Below are some of the various activities and statistical information concerning the November 6, 2018 General Election: Pre-Election Activity All pre-election tasks were completed in a timely manner by staff, through a temporary relocation and Hurricane Michael making landfall the day before the voter registration deadline. These tasks included, but were not limited to: • 41 campaign finance reports were audited • Logic and accuracy testing was completed on all voting equipment • Voter education outreach events were held at both the Passmore and Seymour centers • Early voting and Election Day precinct election officials were trained over the course of 24 sessions • Ballots were ordered and received equaling to 100% of registered voters • Election supplies were prepared for 44 precincts and 5 early voting sites • Software was loaded on 132 Election Day and 24 early voting laptops • Multi-partisan Assistance Teams were trained and certified to be deployed as requested to assisted living facilities to assist voters with requesting and casting absentee ballots • From July 1, 2018 to November 6, 2018, the staff processed 7,232 new voter registrations, 4,939 duplicate registrations, 5,786 changes of information, and removed 5,195 from the voter rolls due to registration activity in other counties/states, death, request from voter, or felony sentencing. In total, 17,726 voter cards were mailed during this time period. Absentee Voting Although litigation coupled with Hurricane Matthew delayed the start of absentee-by-mail voting • 2,865 absentee-by-mail ballots were processed and sent to voters as requested 2 Legislation passed prior to the start of early voting resulted in a longer early voting period and required 7 am — 7 pm weekday hours if voting beyond normal office hours was offered. • As directed by the Bipartisan State Board of Elections and Ethics Enforcement, 5 early voting sites were established with a total of 905 cumulative hours. 43,253 total votes were cast, with the votes cast at each site being: - 10,197 at the Board of Elections office - 11,379 at Carrboro Town Hall - 7,869 at Chapel of the Cross - 3,152 at Efland Ruritan Club - 10,656 at Seymour Senior Center • 1,776 new registrations and 2,154 updated registrations were processed during the early voting period Election Day Polls were open 6:30 am to 7:30 pm on November 6, 2018. Voting was steady throughout the day. • An Orange Water and Sewer Authority water main break the day before the election resulted in additional logistical planning as facilities began closing as trucks were in route to deliver equipment and supplies • The Asset Management Services department ensured temporary restrooms were delivered to precincts affected by the main break to allow election officials access to restrooms during the 14+ hour day • All precincts were open at 6:30 am as required by law • No electronic poll book or printer issues were reported • A total of 22,008 people voted on Election Day • All Election Night results were reported, uploaded to the website, and finalized by 10:15 pm Post-Election Voter turnout for the November 6, 2018 General Election was 58.71%, considerably high for a midterm, "blue moon" election. Voter Turnout by Registered Party 7 Constitution (7) Democratic 3,602 Green (17) 35,326 Libertarian Republican Unaffiliated 305 17 3 Voter Turnout by Race 21471 African 120 r American/Black Ix770 ■American Indian 6,707 11,659 3,769 Asian Multiracial •Other 52,150 7 ■Undeclared •White Voter Turnout by Gender 2,809 Female 28,893 Male 35,944 Undeclared Voter Turnout by Ethnicity 1,620 Hispanic/Latino 13,352 Not Hispanic/Latino 52,674 Undeclared • 371 provisional ballots were cast. Of those, the Board of Elections: - Fully approved 124 - Partially approved 5 - Did not approve 242 * No record of registration and previously removed due to registration activity in another county or state made up the bulk of provisional ballots the Board did not approve. 4 • Data was uploaded from electronic poll books to complete voter history entry by mid- morning Thursday, November 8. • The election results were certified by the Board at canvass on Friday, November 16. • No election protests or challenges were filed in Orange County. • Absentee results by precinct will be reported by December 6, 2018 as required by law. The Orange County Board of Elections is able to provide voters the best possible services due to the dedication of the Board of Elections members and staff and the continued support from the Orange County Board of County Commissioners. The Board of Elections members and staff and Orange County voters appreciate the support provided by the Board of Commissioners and other County staff. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with receiving this report. SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goal is applicable to this item: • GOAL: ENABLE FULL CIVIC PARTICIPATION Ensure that Orange County residents are able to engage government through voting and volunteering by eliminating disparities in participation and barriers to participation. The mission of the Board of Elections is to maintain the integrity of elections, ensure election results are accurate, and make the election process inclusive for all eligible voters. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board receive the report and provide any comments and questions.