FY2021-11 Amending Portions Of Title 7 Of The Kodiak Island Borough Code Providing For By Mail Voting Processes At The Regular Municipal Election And Allowing Modification Of Election To Address Pu1
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Introduced by: Clerk's Office
Drafted by: KIB Attorney
Introduced on: 06/18/2020
Public Hearing Date: 07/16/2020
Adopted on: 07/16/2020
KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
ORDINANCE NO. FY2021-11
AN ORDINANCE OF THE ASSEMBLY OF THE KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH AMENDING
PORTIONS OF TITLE 7 OF THE KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH CODE PROVIDING FOR BY
MAIL VOTING PROCESSES AT THE REGULAR MUNICIPAL ELECTION AND ALLOWING
MODIFICATION OF ELECTION TO ADDRESS PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERNS
WHEREAS, the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly finds that the public health objectives of
limiting in person contact in response to the current pandemic may deter some voters from voting
in person at the general municipal election; and
WHEREAS, the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly finds that the current pandemic may deter
some older election workers from participating as precinct workers due to health concerns; and
WHEREAS, the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly finds that the contact between persons when
voting may be reduced if the voters are afforded the opportunity for by mail, early or absentee
voting; and
WHEREAS, the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly finds provisions for early voting will add a
convenience to Borough voters to allow voting in person 21 days prior to the election with proof
of identification and signing an early voter register, and without having to complete the absentee -
in -person form; and
WHEREAS, the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly desires to make changes to the provisions
regarding Borough elections to facilitate by mail, early voting, and youth precinct workers in order
to reduce the health risk to voters in the Borough; and
WHEREAS, Alaska Statutes authorizes the appointment of students though the Youth Vote
Ambassadors Program to serve on an election board or as election officials.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE ASSEMBLY OF THE KODIAK ISLAND
BOROUGH THAT:
Section 1: This ordinance is of a general and permanent nature and shall become a part of the
Kodiak Island Borough Code of Ordinances.
Section 2: That Section 7.10.040(A), Administration of elections, of the Kodiak Island Borough
Code of Ordinances is amended to read as follows:
7.10.040, Administration of elections.
Kodiak Island Borough, Alaska
Ordinance No. FY2021-11
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A. In this title, the assembly has prescribed the general rules for the conduct of borough elections.
This Title shall be liberally interpreted, so as to accomplish the purposes set forth.
Section 4: That Section 7.30.020, Precincts and Polling Places, of the Kodiak Island Borough
Code of Ordinances is amended to include a new subsection (C) to read as follows:
7.30.020 Precincts and Polling Places.
C. If a declaration of a disaster or emergency has been issued by the President of the United
States, the Governor of Alaska, or the Emergency Services Council (KIB 2.110.030) which
includes areas within the Kodiak Island Borough, precincts where the voter turnout was less than
one hundred (100) voters at the last regular election may be designated as "ballot by -mail'
precincts by resolution of the assembly. In those precincts, no election officials shall be appointed.
In "ballot by -mail' precincts the procedures outlined in Chapter 7.70 shall be followed. Voters in a
"ballot by -mail" precinct wishing to vote early or absentee in person may do so at any designated
early voting or absentee voting site. Any precinct designated as a "ballot by -mail' precinct in
accordance with the provisions of this subsection will remain a "ballot by -mail' precinct until such
time as declared disaster or emergency status has been lifted.
Section 5: That Section 7.30.010, Elections officials, of the Kodiak Island Borough Code of
Ordinances amended to read as follows:
7.30.010, Election Officials
A. The assembly shall appoint at least three election officials in each precinct to constitute the
election board of that precinct. The clerk is the election supervisor. One election official shall be
designated as chair and shall be ordinarily responsible for administering the election in that
precinct. The clerk may appoint additional election officials at any polling place where they are
needed to conduct an orderly election and to relieve other election officials of undue hardship.
The clerk may appoint persons aged 16 or older as additional election officials if they meet the
requirements to serve in the Youth Vote Ambassador Program under AS 15.10.108. Any person
so appointed serves under the supervision of the precinct board chair.
B. All election officials should attend a training session unless personally and specifically excused
for cause by the clerk. If any appointed election official is not able to or refuses to serve on election
day, the clerk may appoint a replacement for that official.
C. Except for duly qualified persons 16 to 18 years old appointed under subsection A of this
section, each election official serving at a precinct polling place must be a qualified voter and, if
possible, a resident within the precinct for which appointed.
Section 7: That a new Section 7.50.025, Early voting — in person, of the Kodiak Island Borough
Code of Ordinances is hereby enacted to read as follows:
7.50.025 Early voting — in person.
Kodiak Island Borough, Alaska
Ordinance No. FY2021-11
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A. A voter may cast an early vote in person in the same manner as on the day of an election.
B. Early voting before an election official shall not begin prior to twenty-one (21) days before a
regular or special election.
(a) The assembly may, by resolution, authorize early voting up to 75 days prior to a regular or
special election.
(b) Prior to the election, the clerk shall mark the precinct registers of those voters who voted early
or give to the election board in each precinct a list of voters from the precinct who have voted
early.
Section 10. Effective Date: This ordinance takes effect upon adoption.
ADOPTED BY THE ASSEMBLY OF THE KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
THIS SIXTEENTH DAY OF JULY, 2020.
KODIAK ISLAND B ROUGH
A
i
Wiliam oberts,Mayor
Alise L! Rice Borough Clerk
VOTES: 1
Ayes: Schroeder, Skinner, Symmons, Arndt, Dvorak and Kavanaugh. PCj� Bo�0�
Noes:
Kodiak Island Borough, Alaska
ALASKP�
Ordinance No. FY2021-11
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