A resolution requesting the Davidson County Election Commission to develop an action plan to respond to the recommendations made by the League of Women Voters as part of the Voter Integrity Study.

WHEREAS, the League of Women Voters of Nashville has provided voter services to Metropolitan Nashville for many years; and

WHEREAS, the League is committed to ensuring that each element of the voting system produces a ballot that is secure, accurate, recountable, and accessible; and

WHEREAS, the League supports voting systems with independent voter verifiable paper ballots that can be used to check for accuracy, to recount votes manually, and to verify totals; and

WHEREAS, the new iVotronic electronic voting machines do not provide for a voter verified paper ballot, thus increasing the need to implement systems and procedures to protect the security and integrity of the voting process; and

WHEREAS, the 2006 August County General Election was the first county-wide election using the new iVotronic electronic voting machines; and

WHEREAS, the League conducted a Voting Integrity Study of the Nashville-Davidson County election system during the 2006 August County General Election and November Statewide Primary Election; and

WHEREAS, the League conducted a poll watching project on Election Day for the 2006 August and November elections; and

WHEREAS, the League interviewed various Election Commission officials and observed many aspects of the election process, including the testing of machines before Election Day, as well as observed many aspects of the election process during Early Voting and on Election Day; and

WHEREAS, the League found that the Election Commission is generally making a good faith effort to follow federal and state election laws and has a staff dedicated to ensuring as smooth an election as possible with the resources available; and

WHEREAS, the League commended the Election Commission for mailing a sample ballot to every registered voter; and

WHEREAS, the League found that procedures and protocols to ensure that the new electronic voting machines are functioning properly are not adequate; and

WHEREAS, the League found that the protection of voting machines needs to be enhanced; and

WHEREAS, the League found that the existence of dual state and Davidson County voter registration databases presents the possibility of confusion or error; and

WHEREAS, the League found that the training of poll workers is a continually improving process; and

WHEREAS, the League found that the most persistent problem on Election Day was the failsafe process.

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

Section 1. The Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as commending the League of Women Voters of Nashville for their efforts to safeguard the Davidson County election system by conducting the Voting Integrity Study and poll watching project.

Section 2. The Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as requesting the Election Commission to develop an action plan to respond to the recommendations of the League, which should include but not be limited to the following:
(1) Make mailing a sample ballot to every registered voter a standard practice;
(2) Follow the practices set forth in the Voting Systems Performance and Test Standards set forth by the Federal Government including more fully developing staff capabilities to develop effective and formalized testing procedures;
(3) Enhance the security of voting machines by adding video surveillance at the warehouse and a formal check in/out process for the machines;
(4) Resolve issues inherent in maintaining the dual state and Davidson County voter registration databases;
(5) Enhance training for poll workers to insure familiarization with Election Day procedures, including procedures related to accommodating voters with disabilities; and
(6) Examine the failsafe process to make it smoother and less time consuming for voters and officials.

Section 3. The Metropolitan Council further requests the Election Commission to submit its written response to the Voting Integrity Study to every member of the Council no later than May 1, 2007.

Section 4. The Metropolitan Clerk is requested to send a copy of this Resolution to the League of Women Voters of Nashville and to each member of the Davidson County Election Commission.

Section 3. 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: Lynn Williams