HomeMy WebLinkAboutA020 - Letter to Drew Miller from County Auditor dated October 10, 2003 October 10, 2003
Drew Miller
801 Crawford#3
Ames, IA 50010
Dear Mr. Miller:
I am writing in response to the petitions served to the Auditor's office on Monday 10/6/03. The
petitions were for Satellite Voting to be held on four dates at two locations. I must reject the
petitions for the following reasons:
1) Any outdoor location has physical limitations that make it impossible to
meet the requirements for ballot security and secret voting. A building is
necessary to provide security and secrecy as well as comfort and shelter for
workers.
2) The bus depot has primarily transparent walls. There is extremely limited
space for the workers, the supplies, and the voting booths. Handicap accessibility
would be unfeasible without blocking entrances/exits to either the building itself
or the restroom unless the handicap booth was positioned to prevent privacy.
These two reasons prevent me from establishing Satellite Voting as called for in the petitions. In
addition, I should mention that the petitions are missing critical information as established in
Iowa Administrative Code 721-21.300(53).
I would appreciate the opportunity to work with the Government of the Student Body as well as
other entities as Satellite Voting locations are chosen for the upcoming Primary and General
Elections to be held in 2004. I regret Voter participation is vital to all, and Story County is
fortunate to have a significant number of 18-24 year olds. I want to assure you that serving the
needs of all voters is of high priority. I look forward to continued input from you and the GSB.
Regards,
Mary Mosiman
John R Klaus To: Diane R Voss/COA@COA
10/09/2003 10:28 AM cc.
Subject: Satellite Voting
----- Forwarded by John R Klaus/COA on 10/09/03 10:27 AM -----
John R Klaus To: Diane R Voss/COA@COA
10/09/03 10:15 AM cc:
Subject: Satellite Voting
So called "satellite voting", that is, voting by absentee ballot received and cast at a "satellite absentee
voting station" is governed by section 53.11 Code of Iowa. Subsection 53.11(1). states that such voting
stations MAY be established in the discretion of the commissioner of elections(county auditor; but that
such stations SHALL be established on petition of 100 eligible electors. In the event of a valid petition to
establish such a station or stations, the cost is not a consideration. In the matter of the commissioners
discretion with respect to such stations, the law does not prevent consideration of the cost in making the
decision.
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