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Committee sets early‑voting windows, approves limited evening extensions
Summary
The committee approved the Election Commission’s proposed early‑voting schedules for the September primary and November general election and amended the primary schedule to add one Tuesday with hours extended to 8 p.m.; committee also approved expanded Tuesday evening hours for two October dates in the general-election period.
The Program Services Committee reviewed proposed early‑voting schedules submitted by the Election Commission and the clerk’s office that meet state minimums (seven days before the primary and 14 days before the general election) and the city’s weekend‑hour requirements.
City Clerk Miller told the committee the office expects to offer the state‑required early‑voting minimums and local weekend coverage; he said past experience shows heavier turnout in the final days and anecdotally modest use of late‑evening windows. "Our sense is the busiest periods are the last couple of days," Miller said, describing hour‑by‑hour turnout as a work in progress for the clerk’s office.
Committee members pressed for data on turnout by hour and for flexibility to expand evening hours. President Oliver proposed an amendment to extend one Tuesday (Aug. 25 for the primary) to 8 p.m.; after discussion the committee approved the amended primary schedule. The committee later approved amending proposed general‑election hours to keep two Tuesdays open until 8 p.m. The clerk noted that if the Election Commission needs to reconvene to ratify local expansions, staff will seek that additional approval and notify the council if schedules must change.
The committee approved both amended items by unanimous vote and directed the clerk to notify the Election Commission and return any revised documents to the full council as required.
