Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Mark Church, Chief Elections Officer & Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder
Subject: Resolution Authorizing the Chief Elections Officer, or His Designee, to Apply for and Receive, on Behalf of the County, Reimbursement Funds Through Two Grants from the California Secretary of State: One Regarding the Help America Vote Act in an Amount Not to Exceed $20,000 and the Other Regarding Senate Bill 117 in an Amount Not to Exceed $58,000
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing:
A) The County of San Mateo to receive reimbursement through a grant of up to $20,000 from the California Secretary of State under section 251 of the Help America Vote Act for improvement of the administration of elections; and
B) The County of San Mateo to receive reimbursement through a grant of up to $58,000 from the California Secretary of State under Senate Bill 117; and
C) The Chief Elections Officer to execute two agreements with the California Secretary of State to receive said funds.
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BACKGROUND:
The California Secretary of State has put forward two agreements offering grants to reimburse the San Mateo County for certain election activities.
Agreement 17G26140 provides federal reimbursement funds in compliance with the requirements of Section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Help America Vote Act, for the improvement of administration of elections. These reimbursements will be provided for travel expenses incurred by Registration & Elections Division staff in attending trainings held by the Secretary of State; for staff salaries and benefits incurred for accessibility surveys of polling places, or for training staff to perform said surveys; for other expenses incurred in modifying polling places to increase accessibility; for costs associated with the acquisition or deployment of a remote accessible vote by mail system; and for assessment supplies or equipment as needed. The reimbursements provided under this agreement shall not exceed $20,000.
Agreement 17S10065 provides state reimbursement funds pursuant to Senate Bill 117 (Chapter 180, 2017), which requires the Secretary of State to assist each county conducting all-mailed ballot elections in 2018 in providing additional voter education and community outreach, including direct contact with voters as well as advertisements, printing, translation, and design of education and outreach materials. The reimbursements provided under this agreement shall not exceed $58,000.
SHARED VISION 2025:
Approval of this Resolution contributes to the Shared Vision 2025 of a Collaborative Community. The training provided pursuant to the Help America Vote Act will help ensure our County’s Vote Centers are accessible to all voters. The funds provided pursuant to Senate Bill 117 will raise awareness of the changes to San Mateo County’s election model under the California Voter’s Choice Act.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no net county cost.