RESOLUTION NO. _____, 2020
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RESOLUTION URGING THE JEFFERSON COUNTY CLERK TO RELEASE THE DETAILS FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION IN NOVEMBER 2020.
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SPONSORED BY: SPONSORSHIP WITHDRAWN
WHEREAS, the Council appreciates and understands the enormous task, responsibility and burden COVID-19 has placed upon the Jefferson County Clerk and the entire Jefferson County Clerk’s office; and
WHEREAS, Governor Andy Beshear signed an emergency regulation regarding the November 2020 General Election, 31 KAR 4:192E Procedures for November 3, 2020 Elections, realizing that such an emergency regulation was necessary given that the Kentucky Constitution requires free and fair elections, yet COVID-19 pandemic has created a state of emergency in the Commonwealth and poses a risk to the health and well-being of voters; and
WHEREAS, the emergency regulation outlines certain procedures to be followed by all County Clerks, including but not limited to permitting Saturday voting; reducing the number of in-person voting locations; establishing at least one (1) site for in-person voting on November 3, 2020, which is capable of permitting any registered voter residing in the county to vote at that location; allowing for absentee voting and use of drop-boxes for absentee voting; utilizing voters registered as other than Democrat or Republican as precinct election officials authorizing cures for discrepancies or irregularities on absentee ballot applications and/or absentee ballots; permitting the appointment of an absentee ballot processing committee; and allowing voters who requested but did not receive their absentee ballot to vote in person; and
WHEREAS, Section 16 of the emergency regulation states, in part, “State funds shall procure, at minimum, an additional eight (8) staff members for each county, with the eight largest counties by population receiving more staffing and funding proportionally”; and
WHEREAS, during the primary election in Jefferson County in May 2020, registered voters across Louisville Metro, without internet access, reported the inability to request absentee ballots, schedule in-person absentee voting appointments, and speak with, leave a voicemail for, or receive a return phone call from the Jefferson County Clerk’s Election Center at the phone number provided, 574-6100; and
WHEREAS, during the primary election in Jefferson County in May 2020, registered voters across Louisville Metro reported the inability to vote due to the polling place closing while many were still in line; and
WHEREAS, the Council has been contacted by dozens of residents willing and wanting to be trained to volunteer to serve as poll workers on November 3, 2020, the day of the general election; and
WHEREAS, the Council, as representatives of diverse populations and regions of Louisville Metro, believe it is their duty to vocalize their community’s concerns.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF THE LOUISVILLE/JEFFERSON COUNTY METRO GOVERNMENT (“THE COUNCIL”) AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION I: The Council calls on the Jefferson County Clerk to present their Clerk’s plan for the November 2020 general election to the Council and to the public.
SECTION II: If needed, the Council pledges to financially contribute CARES Act money or general funds to assist the Jefferson County Clerk in providing safe elections.
SECTION III: The Council calls on the Jefferson County Clerk to make public the number of volunteers who have come forward, contact them for training, and determine the number of volunteers still needed to provide a safe, free, and fair November 2020 general election.
SECTION IV: This Resolution shall take effect upon its passage and approval.
_________________________________ ______________________________
Sonya Harward David James
Metro Council Clerk President of the Council
__________________________________ _____________________________
Greg Fischer Approval Date
Mayor
Approved as to form and legality:
Michael J. O’Connell
Jefferson County Attorney
BY: _____________________________
R-119-20 Co Clerk’s 2020 gen election plan - hh