Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Polling Site Agreement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board approves standardized polling-site agreement covering liability, signage and buffer zones
Summary
The Rockingham County Board of Elections approved a standardized facility-use agreement to be used at polling sites; the agreement sets buffer zones, signage rules, cleanup responsibilities and requires certificates of liability insurance from hosts.
The Rockingham County Board of Elections approved a standard polling-site use agreement Nov. 18 that lays out access, signage, insurance and cleanup expectations for host facilities.
Elections staff presented the agreement, which addresses use of tables and kitchen facilities, restroom access, post-use cleanup and security (including a requirement that precinct officials restore the facility to its prior condition). The agreement also sets a buffer zone for campaigning — a minimum of 25 feet and maximum of 50 feet from the exterior entrance — and prohibits smoking and alcoholic beverages on site.
Miss Seamster said the county's risk manager coordinated the liability coverage: "When I had to do this for Sharon Baptist Church, he said it is not a concern... we get that certificate of liability," she said. Board members asked whether the county would assume any liability; staff confirmed that the county's insurance covers the polling operations and that the facilities are not being paid for by tax revenues.
Board members discussed whether staff should meet in person with facility representatives when possible rather than only mailing agreements; staff said they would follow whatever approach the board preferred. The board voted to adopt the template to use at all facilities the board selects for elections.
