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City of Missoula, Montana Item to be Referred to City Council Committee Committee: Committee of the Whole Item: 2009 Mail Ballot Date: 7/13/2009 Prepared by: Ed Childers Initiated by: Ed Childers Action Required: Authorize mail ballot for 2009 Primary Municipal Election Recommended Motion: Move to pass a resolution that specifies an an election using mail ballots for the 2009 city primary, specifies a number of ballot locations other than the Courthouse, and specifies whether results will be tallied by ward or by precinct. Timeline: decision by mid August. Referral to committee: July 13, 2009 Committee discussion: July, 2009 Deadline: decision by mid August Background and Alternatives Explored: In 2007 the City held its general election using mail ballots, and the response was far better than would have been expected using regular polling places. One change that might improve the process would be to mail ballots the minimum number of days before polling closes rather than 21 days, as was used in 2007. The minimum number of days is 15. We should tell Elections whether we want results by ward or by precinct; also, We should decide on a number of locations in addition to the Courthouse. In 2007 we had 4. Financial Implications: The FY10 budget provides funding for a mail ballot Attachments: Resolution 7221 Proposed 2009 resolution