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.  Because of the Ward boundary change between Wards 1 and 2, the precinct line between Ward 1 Precinct 1 and Ward 2 Precinct 2 will be changed.  Because of the legislative redistricting, it made sense to redraw the precinct boundaries in Ward 1 as well.  A map depicting the new  proposed boundaries is attached to this case.  Legal descriptions for all eight Precincts are included in the attached resolution.

The City's polling locations will remain the same; however, staff is suggesting some rearranging of at which location the Precincts will vote.  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.  Ward 2 Precinct 1 currently votes at Fire Station 1, located at 15050 Armstrong Boulevard NW.  Staff is suggesting the polling location for Ward 2 Precinct 1 be changed to the Park Center in Central Park which is located at 7925 - 161st Avenue NW.  This accomplishes two things - the location of this polling place is closer to the precinct boundaries AND - the number of registered voters in this precinct are less than the one currently voting at Park Center so some of the crowding and parking concerns will be alleviated.  With the new boundary line for Ward 2 Precinct 2 moving over into the current boundary for Ward 1, the Independent Baptist Church located at 15650 Sunfish Lake Boulevard NW falls within the borders and is suggested as the new location for this precinct.   Ward 3 Precinct 1 currently votes at Ramsey Municipal Center at 7550 Sunwood Drive NW and Ward 3 Precinct 2 currently votes at the Independent Baptist Church (Sunfish - address above).    Staff is suggesting having Ward 3 Precinct 1 continue to vote at the Municipal Center, even though the boundary line is within Precinct 2.  It does, however, fall within the one mile radius as set by State Statute.  Precinct 1 is the larger voter population of the two precincts in Ward 3 so it would make most sense to have the larger precinct continue to vote at City Hall where there is ample parking and not as much chance for traffic congestion as has happened in the past on Armstrong Boulevard.  At the present time, there is a difference of about 1,000 registered voters between Precinct 1 and 2 in Ward 3.  By leaving Ward 3 Precinct 1 voting at the Municipal Center, this also minimizes the number of polling location changes.  Ward 3 Precinct 2 currently votes at Independent Baptist Church located at 15650 Sunfish Lake Boulevard, but staff is suggesting the new location be Ramsey Fire Station No. 1 at 15050 Armstrong Boulevard NW.  Ward 4 Precinct 1 currently votes at Old City Hall at 15153 Nowthen Boulevard NW and Ward 4 Precinct 2 currently votes at Lord of Life Church at 14501 Nowthen Boulevard NW, and those two will remain as is.

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.

Motion to adopt Resolution #12-03-XXX Establishing Precinct Boundary Lines and Polling Places for the City of Ramsey