Consider Resolution Establishing Precinct Boundary Lines and Polling Places for the City of Ramsey

As part of the redistricting process, precinct lines and polling places must be re-established. Legal descriptions for all nine Precincts are included in the attached resolution.

The City's polling locations will mostly remain the same; however, staff is suggesting changing one polling location along with assigning a polling location for a newly established Precinct. What has been taken into consideration is where the new Ward, Precinct and Legislative District lines fall as well as the number of registered voters within the Precinct in comparison to the size of the polling facility.  State Statues regulates how a City designates polling places as follows:  The polling place for a precinct in a city or in a school district located in whole or in part in the metropolitan area, shall be located within the boundaries of the precinct or within one mile of one of those boundaries unless a single polling place is designated for a city.

Currently Ward 1 Precinct 1 votes at Pathways Community Church, located at 6341 167th Avenue NW and that will remain the same as will Ward 1 Precinct 2 which votes at Cross of Hope Church, located at 5730 179th Lane NW.  Currently Ward 2 Precinct 1 votes at Park Center in Central Park, located at 7925 161st Avenue NW and that will remain the same as will Ward 2 Precinct 2 which votes at Independent Baptist Church,15650 Sunfish Lake Boulevard NW. Currently Ward 3 Precinct 1 votes at Ramsey Municipal Center, located at 7550 Sunwood Drive (Alexander Ramsey Room) and that will remain the same. Currently Ward 4 Precinct 1 votes at Ramsey Fire Station No. 2, located at 5650 Alpine Drive NW and that will remain the same as will Ward 4 Precinct 2 which votes at Lord of Life Church, located at 14501 Nowthen Boulevard NW. 

Currently Ward 3 Precinct 2 votes at Ramsey Fire Station No. 1, 15050 Armstrong Blvd NW. Staff is suggesting the polling place for Ward 3 Precinct 2 be changed to the Public Works Facility, located at 14199 Jaspar Street NW. This change would bring the polling location within the boundaries of Ward 3 Precinct 2.

Based upon the previous Council work session discussion, it is recommended that the newly established Ward 3 Precinct 3, vote at Ramsey Municipal Center, 7550 Sunwood Drive NW (Lake Itasca Room). 

Attached for Council information and review is a map showing the the Ward and Precinct boundaries as well as the polling locations, current and proposed.  Also attached is a map showing the one mile radius area for polling places.

The notification requirements are as follows: When a precinct boundary is reestablished or a local government election district boundary is redistricted, a detailed map showing the new precincts or districts must be posted at the locations and in the manner in items A to C. Item A pertains to municipalities, and reads as follows: For precincts and wards established by a municipality, the notice prepared by the municipal clerk must be posted in the clerk's office. The notice may be posted in other conspicuous locations in the municipality, at the discretion of the clerk. The information posted must also be made available for public inspection at the office of the county auditor.  Staff will post the maps and information on the Public Notice Board in the lobby of City Hall.  Staff will also send all notices to the County Auditor and the Secretary of State offices.

The notices required must be posted within 72 hours after the adoption of precinct or election district boundaries. The notices must remain posted until the day following the state general election in a year ending in two.

With regard to noticing affected voters - when precinct boundaries are changed, the county auditor or municipal clerk shall notify each affected registered voter of the change at least one week prior to the state primary held after the change takes place. Following completion of the ward and precinct boundary amendments, Anoka County Elections will be sending out notification postcards to all voters within the City of Ramsey

Staff is recommending the City Council adopt the attached resolution establishing the Precinct boundary lines and the polling locations.

Costs for elections are budgeted for in the Elections Section of the General Fund.

Motion to adopt Resolution #22-060 Establishing Precinct Boundary Lines and Polling Places for the City of Ramsey