HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-01-14 - AGENDA REPORTS - CITY COUNCIL BALLOT SECURITY (2)NEW BUSINESS
DATE:
SUBJECT:
DEPARTMENT:
Agenda Item: 7
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
City Manager Approval:
Item to be presented by:
January 14, 2014
CITY COUNCIL BALLOT SECURITY
City Manager's Office
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council receive information regarding election ballot security and provide direction to staff.
BACKGROUND
At the November 12, 2013, meeting, City Council directed staff to evaluate and report back on
potential options to enhance existing election ballot security measures through the use of video
surveillance.
As background, the City's election proceedings place a significant emphasis on secure ballot
handling procedures. Consistent with the State Elections Code Section 15204, access to election
ballots is limited to individuals who have been deputized, sworn in, and authorized by the City
Clerk, who serves as the Election Officer for the City. Furthermore, no less than two individuals
are in the presence of ballots, regardless of whether they are sealed or have been opened in
preparation for machine counting, are accessed in their secured area, or handled in any way.
For the 2014 Municipal Election, the City will maintain its practice of having a secure election
ballot storage room which will be located on the first floor of City Hall. This room can only be
accessed by a key controlled by the Election Officer (City Clerk). Ballots are stored in locked
ballot cabinets with dual locks. Each key is held by different staff members; no one person will
have control of both sets of cabinet keys, preventing any one individual from accessing election
ballots.
At City Council's request, staff evaluated options for further enhancing election ballot security
through the installation of video camera surveillance. The most viable and cost-effective option
is the installation of one or more Internet -based cameras which would allow for continued 24n
surveillance of the ballot storage room.
Recent advances in video surveillance technology since the last election now provides the City
with an option that is both viable and cost-efficient. This specific solution can be easily deployed
by staff and costs approximately $500 per camera. The system provides for long-term video
storage, and incorporates a digital video recorder to access and replay video which is date and
time stamped.
Pending City Council's direction to staff, video surveillance equipment can be installed prior to
March 10, 2014, which is the first day when mailed ballots may be sent to all permanent vote by
mail voters.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS
Other actions as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
Adequate funds to support this work are available in the Technology Services Budget, Account
No. 12200-5161.001.