COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder

DATE:

December 5, 2005

BOARD MEETING DATE:

December 13, 2005

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Warren Slocum, Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder

SUBJECT:

Authorization to Participate in “Help America Vote Act “ Grant Funding

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a resolution authorizing the Chief Elections Officer to execute funding agreements with the California Secretary of State under the “Help America Vote Act of 2002” (HAVA) for eligible expenditures to improve the administration of elections.

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitments: Responsive, effective, and collaborative government that realizes the potential of our diverse population.

Goals 20, 21, and 24: Government decisions based on careful consideration of future impact; County employees understand, support and integrate County vision and goals, uniformly high civic engagement in voting and public discussion of important issues. HAVA funding will enable us to timely comply with new federal standards by improving access by voters with disabilities, and implementing new standards for voting and voter registration systems.

Performance Measure(s):

Measure

Nov. 2002: Actual

Nov. 2006: Projected

Percent of eligible voters registered to vote

72%

76%

Percent of registered voters who vote

54%

56%

BACKGROUND:

HAVA (42 USC 15301 et seq.) established uniform, nondiscriminatory standards for election technology and administration in federal elections and funding programs to be administered by the states for eligible expenditures. California’s Secretary of State administers HAVA programs in this state, pursuant to a federally-approved state plan and standardized contracts and accounting guidelines. Grantees must segregate funds, report periodically, and submit to audit and inspection. HAVA’s Title II (Section 261) reimburses costs to ensure accessible polling places for individuals with disabilities, including site improvements, staff training, and voter education. Title III funds the implementation of uniform and non-discriminatory voting systems (Section 301), and development and implementation of an integrated, statewide voter registration database (Section 303).

Proposed agreements to purchase new voting systems and related federal and state funding agreements (HAVA Section 301; California’s Voting Modernization Bond Act) will be presented on your January 24, 2006 agenda. We have contracted for HAVA Section 303 funding ($17,500.00), to be completed by January 1, 2006.

The HAVA Section 261 funding agreement, with authorizing Board resolution, must be submitted to the state by January 1, 2006.

DISCUSSION:

The proposed Section 261 agreement does not otherwise require Board action under County policy (County Admin. Memo. B-5). However, the Secretary of State requires a resolution authorizing the County to participate in HAVA funding.

Section 261’s allocation formula allows San Mateo County up to $78,406.82 for disability access improvements made through June 30, 2006. We will continue to collaborate with the Commission on Disabilities and the Center for the Independence of the Disabled to best serve the needs of county voters. Our targeted improvements may include curbside wireless communication devices, booth lights, directional signage, and specialized staff and poll worker training.

At this time, we do not foresee participating in any HAVA funding programs other than the three described herein.

County Counsel has reviewed and approved this agreement and resolution.

FISCAL IMPACT:

There is no Net County Cost. These agreements distribute federal requirements funding, to reimburse eligible expenditures.