At the July 10 meeting the Elections Committee presented redlined edits to two governing documents intended to tighten candidate filing, residency verification and voting instructions. Katie Boswell, vice chair of the Elections Committee, summarized changes the committee had made to two resolutions: edits to candidate filing and campaign rules (Resolution 2) and clarifications on ballot instructions and tabulation (Resolution 4).
The committee’s proposed changes included adding a statement attesting to residency with a photo ID when filing, creating an appeals process for candidates denied certification, strengthening residency verification on candidacy forms, and clarifying instructions for both electronic and paper ballots.
Directors debated whether members — in addition to candidates — should have a short window to lodge appeals or challenges after the committee posts certified candidates. Concerns raised included compressed timeframes (the committee’s timeline requires quick certification to meet printing and mailing schedules), what constitutes “1 business day,” and whether staff or the committee should verify petition signatures. Several directors asked staff and counsel to clarify timelines and notice rules and to define the evidentiary standard for a member challenge.
After discussion the board voted to refer the candidate-filing redline back to the Elections Committee for further work (motion carried in a recorded vote). The board also separately approved the edits to the resolution governing voting forms, tabulation and reporting procedures (Resolution 4) so the clarified ballot instructions and tabulation rules could be implemented.
The board directed the Elections Committee to return with revised language that addresses timing and appeals mechanics and to document procedural steps for notifying candidates and members in writing. Committee and staff representatives agreed to include clearer definitions of appeal windows, notification methods (email for same-day notice), and the evidence threshold that should trigger the Elections Committee’s review.