Bel Air commissioners weigh mailers, sample ballots to boost municipal turnout
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Summary
Commissioners discussed budgeting for voter outreach — a postcard mailer (estimated $5,000–$10,000), sample ballots, and inserts with sewer bills or recycling calendars — and recommended planning an FY28 budget allocation for sample-ballot printing and outreach in future municipal elections.
Bel Air commissioners on Nov. 10 discussed targeted voter outreach for municipal elections, weighing a postcard mailer, sample ballots and inserts in routine town mailings to increase turnout.
The chair said staff estimated a postcard-style mailer could cost about $5,000 to $10,000. "I think Mike had looked at the cost and it was maybe $5,000 to a postcard type thing," the chair said. Commissioners debated whether to include a sample ballot and suggested placing early-notice material in the recycling calendar or with sewer bills that residents open.
Members noted tradeoffs: sewer-bill inserts reach property owners, not necessarily tenants, while recycling calendars are widely opened. Several commissioners favored budgeting for a sample ballot in FY28 and expressed support for doing both a preliminary notice and a later sample ballot closer to the election.
Staff and commissioners suggested reserving funds in next fiscal planning to support outreach measures aimed at making election logistics and polling location information clearer for residents.
Next steps discussed included adding a line item in an upcoming budget cycle for outreach and discussing specifics of timing and materials when staff return with cost and distribution plans.