Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Elections Voter Engagement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Greenbelt budget includes funding for election outreach and staffing for noncitizen voting initiative
Summary
Council and staff said the FY2026 budget includes increased election office expenses to support voter engagement, translation of materials and temporary staffing tied to the city’s noncitizen voting initiative and broader turnout efforts.
City staff told Greenbelt City Council the elections budget for FY2026 rises to cover the November election and new voter engagement work tied to the council‑approved noncitizen voting initiative.
City Manager (name in transcript: Mr. Summeron) and staff said the packet includes line items for translation of voter-registration forms and mailers, increased notices and publication costs for outreach, and funding for temporary staff to manage registrations and the voter roll. “That staffing is to support voter registration for the noncitizen voting initiative that council approved,” the manager said.
Councilmembers discussed turnout patterns: staff and the elections chair reported turnout in presidential and gubernatorial years can top 60% but municipal elections hover around 17%. Mayor Pro Tem Kristen Weaver said she hopes outreach will raise municipal turnout. Public Information Officer Chandra Andrews said staff also budgeted additional notices and printing costs tied to voter outreach.
Council asked whether funds would cover translation, outreach and temporary workers; staff said yes. No formal action was taken during the work session.
The council paused the work session periodically for public questions and noted materials and answers to council submissions will be posted on the budget pages of the city website after the meeting.
