SUBSTITUTE RESOLUTION NO. RS2001-492

A substitute resolution requesting the Davidson County Administrator of Elections and the Davidson County Election Commission to take steps to improve the condition of elections in Davidson County.

WHEREAS, it became apparent during the November 2000 elections, even in Davidson County, that there was a great deal of confusion of voters in the election; and

WHEREAS, Davidson County officials need to improve the efficiency of the conduct of local elections by making our voting officials and our voting places more voter-friendly and providing a better educational process to the voting public; and

WHEREAS, it is appropriate that the Davidson County Election Commission take the additional following action to improve the condition of elections in Davidson County:

To provide a 24-hour automated phone system to provide voters with basic voting and registration information;

To seek to have the state provide electronic transfer instead of manual transfer of voter registration applications from the Department of Safety to the State Election Coordinator's Office;

To seek to have the State Election Code changed to allow for the casting of provisional ballots on election day to allow persons to vote whose voter status may be questionable;

To expand support and resources for early voting and election day poll officials, including use of high school and college students as election day officials;

To work with the Government Access Channel to develop voter education videotapes to instruct voters on the completion of voter registration applications and how to use the voting machines; such tapes will be broadcast on the Government Access Channel and made available to civic groups in the community;

To use voting machines in each high school in Davidson County during the Election Commission's supplemental voter registration drives, and to allow new voters to practice using the machines under a more informal, relaxed environment;

To increase availability of voter registration forms to the general public;

To obtain laptop computers for use at voting precincts on election day to communicate electronically with the election officials at the election office;

To conduct public hearings throughout Davidson County on the conduct of elections and issues raised in the conduct in the last general election.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

SECTION 1. That the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as requesting the Davidson County Administrator of Elections and the Davidson County Election Commission to take steps to improve the condition of elections in Davidson County.

SECTION 2. That the Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a certified copy of this Resolution to the Davidson County Administrator of Elections and to each member of the Davidson County Election Commission.

SECTION 3. That the Administrator of Elections and the Metropolitan Election Commission is further requested to inform The Metropolitan Council of the feasibility and/or the actions taken in compliance with the request contained in Section 1 hereof, not later than sixty (60) days after the adoption of this Resolution.

SECTION 4. That this Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Ludye Wallace