Subject
title
Board of Supervisors of Elections - 2023 Vote by Mail Election Report
end
Department
City Clerk/Director of Council Operations Office
Recommendation
Staff recommends the Mayor and Council receive the Rockville Board of Supervisors of Elections 2023 Vote by Mail Report.
Discussion
In 2023, Rockville conducted another successful Vote by Mail (VBM) election in which voters chose a mayor and six members of the City Council. Voters also answered four ballot questions.
Rockville adopted VBM prior to the 2019 election, primarily to increase voter participation. In that election, voter turnout nearly doubled from 16% in 2015 to 31% in 2019. In other jurisdictions, voter turnout decreased in the second VBM election but still remained higher than it had been prior to the adoption of VBM. In Rockville’s second VBM election, however, voter turnout did not decrease. It remained essentially the same as it had been in 2019.
The Board of Supervisors of Elections (BSE) not only successfully conducted the 2023 election, but also made several improvements in the election process, including simplifying campaign finance report forms; providing voter outreach materials in English, Spanish, and Chinese; offering ballot curing; providing several additional ballot drop boxes, and operating a second vote center.
The BSE encountered some problems in 2023 and resolved most. With the support of the Office of City Clerk, the BSE responded to these problems as they arose, mitigating potential negative effects, investigated each, and explored how to avoid them in future elections.
Some individuals and organizations appeared to have participated in the 2023 election process without complying with those laws. In response, the BSE investigated and issued municipal infraction citations against those individuals and organizations that the BSE concluded had violated Rockville City law.
Overall, the 2023 election was a success. The process was accurate, fair, and transparent. Voter registration increased, and voter turnout remained at the 2019 level, significantly higher than in previous years.
Mayor and Council History
This is the first time this 2023 Election Report has been presented and brought before the Mayor and Council.
Public Notification and Engagement
The BSE held two Post-Election Forums on January 24 and February 21, 2023, which were open to the public. The purpose of these forums was to provide the BSE an opportunity to hear comments about the 2023 election process, suggestions for ways to facilitate the voting process, and ideas on how to enhance voter participation and obtain information for future elections as attached.
Boards and Commissions Review
In its report, the BSE recommends that the City completely redraft Chapter 8 of the Rockville City Code to improve and clarify the election process. The BSE also recommends a series of specific changes if the chapter is not redrafted. The BSE would like an opportunity to participate in the process of amending Chapter 8.
Fiscal Impact
The BSE will recommend to the M&C that the exercise the authority specifically granted by Article III, section 2(a) of the City Charter to compensate the members of the BSE by paying them a yearly stipend for their service on the Board.
Next Steps
The BSE will continue to work with the state and county on the issues brought forth on the redistricting and voter database. The BSE will also come back before the Mayor and Council with additional information and recommendations.