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Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Purpose of Polling Places
  3. Precincts and Polling Locations
    • Divisions within Ramsey County
    • Voting Based on precinct
    • Polling places outside precinct boundaries
    • Polling places serving multiple precincts
  4. Standards for Polling Places
    • State and federal laws
    • Annual visits by Ramsey County Elections staff
  5. Arrival and Opening of Polling Places
    • Election judges' arrival time
    • Difficulties in accessing polling place
    • Contacting Elections hotline
    • Emergency voting kit
  6. Setting Up the Polling Place
    • Communication with the building manager
    • Pre-delivered election supplies
    • Setting up the polling place
    • Introduction among judges
  7. Duties of Election Judges
    • Administering the oath
    • Wearing name tags
    • Pairing judges from different political parties
    • Using the election judge roster
    • Polling place reference guide
  8. Delivering and Separating Supplies
    • Delivery of supplies before Election Day
    • Separate supplies for multiple precinct locations
    • Contacting Elections Hotline for incorrect supplies
  9. Setting Up the Polling Room
    • Consideration of voter flow
    • Roles of greeter judge, poll pad judge, registration judge, and ballot judge
    • Location of ballot marking device and ballot counter
  10. Ensuring Accessibility and Safety
    • Ensuring privacy in the voting area
    • Providing accessibility for voters with walkers or wheelchairs
    • Checking for tripping hazards
  11. Setting Up Equipment
    • Setting up the wi-fi device
    • Distributing and setting up poll pads
    • Opening and checking in the ballots
    • Setting up the registration table
    • Certification forms
  12. Posting Signs and Marking Routes
    • Sign bag for posting signs
    • Marking the route from the entrance to the voting room
    • Marking accessible parking spots and voter parking
  13. Assembling Voting Booths
    • Connecting voting booths for power
    • Providing chairs for voters who prefer to sit
    • Additional chairs for voters using a clipboard
  14. Establishing Official Time and Opening
    • Using a cell phone to establish official time
    • Placing the "Vote Here" sign and the U.S. flag
    • Opening the polling place for voting

Introduction

In Ramsey County, cities are divided into precincts to administer elections. Voters are assigned specific polling places based on the precinct they live in. While most polling places are located within the precincts they serve, some may be located outside the boundaries. There are also instances where a polling place serves voters from multiple precincts. To ensure fair and accessible elections, polling places must meet standards set by state and federal law. This includes annual visits by Ramsey County Elections staff. Election judges play a crucial role in the setup and opening of polling places, with specific tasks assigned to each judge. Supplies are delivered prior to Election Day, and it is important to separate supplies for each precinct in case of multiple precinct locations. The polling room should be set up to facilitate the flow of voters and ensure accessibility for all. Proper equipment setup, posting of signs, and marking of routes are essential. Once everything is in place, the polling place is opened for voting.

Purpose of Polling Places

Polling places are established to provide designated locations where eligible voters can cast their ballots during elections. These locations serve as centralized points for voters to exercise their democratic right to vote. Polling places also play a crucial role in ensuring the integrity and security of the electoral process by implementing measures to verify voter eligibility and prevent fraudulent activities.

Precincts and Polling Locations

Ramsey County is divided into precincts, which are geographical subdivisions used to organize elections. Each precinct has a specific polling location where eligible voters from that precinct can cast their ballots. Precinct boundaries determine the jurisdiction of each polling place. While most polling places are located within the precincts they serve, there are some instances where a polling place is located outside the boundaries of a precinct. This may be due to practical or logistical reasons, such as the availability of suitable facilities or proximity to a larger voter population.

In certain cases, a polling place may serve voters from two or more precincts. This could be due to factors such as population density or the availability of suitable polling facilities. In such cases, measures are taken to ensure that the voting process remains efficient and convenient for all eligible voters.

Standards for Polling Places

Polling places must adhere to the standards established by state and federal law. These standards encompass various aspects such as accessibility, security, and privacy. Ensuring that polling places meet these standards contributes to the smooth and fair conduct of elections. Ramsey County Elections staff conducts annual visits to polling places to ensure that these standards are maintained and any necessary improvements are made.

Arrival and Opening of Polling Places

Election judges, who play a crucial role in the operations of polling places, are required to arrive at their assigned locations by 6AM on Election Day. This allows sufficient time for setting up and preparing the polling place before voters arrive. However, unforeseen circumstances or difficulties may arise, preventing judges from accessing the polling place on time. In such cases, election judges can contact the Elections hotline for assistance and guidance. The hotline provides support and ensures that voting can begin as scheduled at 7AM.

If, for any reason, the building remains locked and voting cannot commence at 7AM, the Assistant Location Judge (ALJ) can provide an emergency voting kit. This kit contains essential materials to enable voting to begin promptly. The ALJ will assist in ensuring that the necessary arrangements are made to facilitate the voting process.

Setting Up the Polling Place

Proper setup of the polling place is essential to ensure the smooth flow of voters and the efficient conduct of the election. Head judges are responsible for contacting the polling place prior to Election Day to confirm details such as the individual responsible for opening the building and the location of pre-delivered election supplies. Whenever possible, head judges can set up the polling place on the Monday before Election Day. This allows sufficient time to ensure that all necessary equipment, supplies, and signage are in place.

Upon arrival on Election Day, election judges should take a moment to introduce themselves to each other. Building rapport and establishing open lines of communication among the judges contribute to a harmonious and efficient working environment. The head judge will administer the election judge oath to the group before commencing the polling place set-up. The oath serves as a reminder of the judges' responsibilities and the importance of maintaining the integrity of the election process. All judges are required to sign the oath form as a commitment to upholding the principles and guidelines outlined.

To ensure smooth operations, judges are encouraged to wear name tags. This makes it easier for voters and fellow judges to identify and address each other. In cases where judges belong to different major political parties, they may be paired when performing certain duties in the polling place. The election judge roster, which provides information on the affiliations of the judges, assists the head judge in determining appropriate pairings.

Detailed guidelines and instructions can be found in the Polling Place Reference Guide. This guide outlines the duties of each election judge and provides a step-by-step overview of the processes and procedures to be followed throughout the day.

Delivering and Separating Supplies

To ensure the smooth operation of polling places, supplies are delivered prior to Election Day. The delivery location is listed on the Polling Place Information Sheet, which is available to the head judge. It is crucial to confirm that all supplies received are intended for the specific precinct and polling place. In cases where a polling location serves multiple precincts, it is important to separate supplies for each precinct to avoid confusion and ensure a seamless voting experience.

If any of the materials received are not appropriate for the polling place, election judges can contact the Elections Hotline for immediate assistance. Assistant Location Judges (ALJs) are ready and equipped to manage any issues or problems that may arise on Election Day. Their role involves providing additional supplies, ensuring compliance with procedures, and troubleshooting any technical or logistical challenges.

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