If you have not already, you will hear the term "HAVA". "Help America Vote Act". The Help America Vote Act (HAVA) is an item of
United States federal election law passed on October 29, 2002. Under HAVA, a new federal voter registration form was created, which
has simplified as well as complicated the registration process. HAVA also guarantees the ability of individuals to cast a provisional ballot
and have the validity of their registration checked later if they do not appear on voter registration rolls
What this means for our Township is confusing to say the least. But in essence, we need to change the way we vote, Period. So by will or
by force "CHANGE" is going to happen. With that in mind, I have taken the approach to look forward and help the change process as
smooth as possible to our people.
The new voting process impacts a couple of things
1. New voting equipment. There will be two new machines. The assisted voting machine and the precinct counter.
The assisted voting machine is required by law to allow persons with disabilities or other special needs to mark a ballot
privately and independently. Both machines require a paper ballot. The precinct counter will allow the voter to change his
ballot if it's voted incorrectly and will tally your votes so at the end of the evening, you will essentially be done except to
bring your results into the courthouse. . The assisted voting machine runs $5900+ per machine and the counter is about
$5,700. There is grant money available but it appears that the Townships will pay some of these costs (approximately
$1,800). In addition to the $1800 for the machines there would be the operating costs of approx. $600 per year and post
warrant maintenance of $350 for both machines. The purchase of a privacy table in the amount of $373 could also be a
cost. Also there is the matter of the cost of training judges on the machines in addition to your regular judges. All of these
are estimates at this time.
2. Combined voting places. In order to save the taxpayers some of the costs associated with having a small Township like
ours invest in this equipment alone, we had the opportunity to pass a Resolution that would combine Hart Lake and Guthrie
Township into one voting place, thus sharing the cost of equipment and maintenance. Hart Lake Township also passed
such a resolution. This is only a Resolution. The people of the Township will vote on the combined voting place proposal
at the Annual meeting.
3. Change of Township election dates. The assisted voting machine and counter machine is driven by computer software.
Thus a "program" must be entered into these machines for each election (ie: different candidates from year to year). This
programming is also a cost to the Township for each year. It is the feeling of the board that we should change our Township election calendar to
match the national voting calendar. We feel this would accomplish two things. One, Save programming cost for our small yearly
"Township Officer" elections in the national off years and two, get more local involvement in our Township elections by linking them to
the national voting calendar. See below:
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2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
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Federal, State and County |
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US Senate |
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President |
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City, School District and Township |
City officers |
City officers |
City officers |
City officers |
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Precinct Caucus |
---- |
03/07/06 |
---- |
03/04/08 |
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Statewide Primary Filing Period (For all except cities and townships that do not hold primaries) Opens: Closes: (Presidential) Primary Day |
07/05/05 09/13/05 |
07/04/06 09/12/06 |
07/03/07 09/11/07 |
07/01/08 09/09/08 |
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Statewide General Filing Period (For all except cities and townships that hold primaries) Opens: Closes: Election Day |
08/30/05 11/08/05 |
08/29/06 11/07/06 |
08/28/07 11/06/07 |
08/26/08 11/04/08 |
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March Township Filing Period Opens: Closes: |
12/28/04 |
01/03/06 |
01/02/07 |
01/01/08 |
The Township Elections are to be held on March 14, 2006. The current officers and proposed changes are as follows:
Under Construction
The opinions and previous information are of Russ Nickerson own "Personal thoughts and observations" and is
offered for reference only. For current official information, please contact the Secretary of State or you County Auditor