TOWN O F
QUEEN
CREEK
August 15,2007
The lionorable Tim Bee President of the Senate 1700 W. Washington, Senate Wing Phoenix, AZ 85007 The Honorable Jim Weiers Speaker of the House of Representatives 1700 W. Washington, House Wing Phoenix, AZ 85007
RE: Town of Queen Creek All-Mail May 15,2007 Special Election
Dear President Bee & Speaker Weiers: Pursuant to A.R.S. $ 16-409.B, the following All-Mail Ballot Election Report is submitted for your review. This report covers the 2007 Special Election.
1. Changes in Voter Turnout
Historically, Queen Creek has had an above average voter turnout for local elections. This is the first year that a Special Election was conducted as an All-Mail Ballot Election. There is a small portion of Pinal County within the Town of Queen Creek town limits and those registered voters are included in The "Total # of Registered Voters". There was a marked increase in voter participation as illustrated with the comparison of the results of the 2002 and 2004 Special Elections and the 2007 Special Election (All-Mail). The table " below illustrates voter turnout:
22350 S. Ellsworth Road, Queen Creek, AZ 85242-931 1 (480) 358-3000 Fax (480) 358-3189 Page 1 of 3 www.queencreek.org TDD 1-800-842-4681
Election Date 2000-Primary 2000-General 2002-Primary 2002-General 2002-Special 2004-Primary 2004-Special 2006-Primary (All-Mail) 2006-General (All-Mail) 2007 - Special
Total # of Registered Voters
Voter Turnout %
2. Cost of Mail Ballot Election as compared to traditional elections - (does not include the costs associated with publicity pamphlets and postage). Election Date 2004-Primary 2004-Special (shared ballot) 2006-Primary (All-Mail) 2006-General (All-Mail) 2007- Special (All-Mail) Total Cost $4,308.41 $ 615.60 $8,697.99 $8,878.80 $1 1,909.28 Avg. cost per ballot
3. Frequency and severity of mail ballot irregularities Only a few comments were received regarding the All-Mail Ballot Election. The comments were general in nature, such as voter registration, when ballots would be received and questions on the publicity pamphlet. 4. Suggestions for improvements or refinements in the All-Mail Ballot Program Overall, the All-Mail BafIot Election went well. For this election the residents were prepared to receive their ballots in the mail after participating in an All-Mail Ballot Election MarchIMay 2006. I still believe that in fast growing municipalities, it takes additional community outreach to encourage residents to update their voter registration records as soon as possible. We always have ample voter registration forms at Town Hall, for Maricopa & Pinal County. Additionally, All-Mail Ballot Elections provide an option in conducting elections, especially when adequate polling places are difficult, or nearly impossible to obtain. 5. Voter satisfaction with the election process Overall comments from residents were positive. Again, very few complaints were received regarding the All-Mail Ballot Election process itself. A ballot box was available
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at Town Hall from the day ballots were mailed out through 7pm Election Day. For those residents who preferred to vote on Election Day, this was a way for them to participate in that way, without having to stand in any lines. 6. Number of non-deliverable ballots May Special: 371 (351 no forwarding address; moved out of jurisdiction; voter's registration cancelled) remaining 20 were eligible and either had temporary holds at post office or updated records and a ballot was re-mailed. If you have any questions, please jennifer.robinson@sueencreek.orq. Sincerely, contact me at
480-358-3210 or at
~ e d f eF. ~obihson, r CMC Town Clerk Cc: Fredda J. Bisman, Town Attorney Mariscal, Weeks, McIntyre and Friedlander, PA
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