STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Government Performance and Financial Management
AGENDA DATE: April 14, 2021
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): All
DEPARTMENT: City Secretary’s Office
EXECUTIVE: Bilierae Johnson
______________________________________________________________________
SUBJECT
title
A resolution appointing a presiding judge and an alternate presiding judge for the Dallas County central counting station for the May 1, 2021, City of Dallas General and Special Elections - Financing: No cost consideration to the City
body
BACKGROUND
On February 24, 2021, the Dallas City Council approved a contract with Dallas County for administration of the May 1, 2021 general and special election. The contract established the responsibilities of the participating political subdivisions. Pursuant to that contract, and in accordance with Section 127.005 of the Texas Election Code, participating political subdivisions appoint the presiding judge and an alternate presiding judge of the Dallas County central counting station.
The appointees have the following duties/responsibilities:
Presiding Judge - The presiding judge has the same authority as an election day judge with respect to maintaining order and administering oaths. This authority also includes resolving any questions about voter intent on a ballot. If the central counting station manager determines that ballots will be duplicated or manually counted, then the clerks will duplicate or hand count the ballots, but the presiding judge will resolve any questions concerning voter intent. The presiding judge may also confer and advise the manager and tabulation supervisor on the operation of the central counting station. The presiding judge is the custodian of the testing materials prepared for the test until the materials are delivered to the general custodian of election records following the third test. If personnel are granted temporary absence from the central counting station while the polls are still open and the counting of ballots has begun, the presiding judge shall supervise those absences.
Alternate Judge - The alternate judge serves in the capacity of the presiding judge if the presiding judge is absent. Otherwise, the alternate judge performs the duties assigned by the presiding judge.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
On February 24, 2021, City Council authorized a contract with Dallas County for administration of the May 1, 2021, general and special election by Resolution No. 21-0439.
FISCAL INFORMATION
No cost consideration to the City.