* *** COMMENTS_ON_7-20-17_PACKAGE_OF_DOCUMENT_DRAFTS TXT - 22 Jul 2017 16:28:43 - JKNAUTH ======================================================================== FLAGS FOR UPDATES TO MY COMMENTS FILE: ----- --- ------- -- -- -------- ----- ****** JGKCHG_7/22/17: flag 8 minor typo corrections in my text (I didn't flag some capitalization fixes) ###### JGKCHG_7/22/17: flag 7 technical additions/changes for BOE text ======================================================================== Below are my comments on the July 2017 document drafts. Thanks for getting me these to comment on and thanks for putting revision dates on all the documents. I like the new ATV form and the way you have handled it. As usual, the more important comments below are flagged with "=======". Unfortunately a number of the comments I had made on the 2016 documents still apply. In places below I have referenced those old comments rather than repeating the details here. Below are the keys. Where appropriate in the comments below I'll follow a key with the specific document part referenced in that file, e.g., [MC]:Manual:Page 36 for page 36 of the old manual commented on in my main comments file. Hope that's all clear. [MC] = my main comments: http://jgkhome.name/WakeBOE/Comments_2016-11-08_Election_Documents.txt [LT] = Laptop QG comments: http://jgkhome.name/WakeBOE/Comments_2016-11-08_Laptop_Quick_Guide.txt [PM] = PostMortem (Documentation section): http://jgkhome.name/WakeBOE/Postmortem_2016-11-08.txt If there is something you disagree with or have a question about, please get back with me. All too often that doesn't happen. It appears many of my comments from 2016 have been forgotten for the 2017 edition. "Sorry, too late to handle this time; we'll handle those in 2017." I was told in 2016 after they had only indirectly notified me about the new documents and then only when the documents were already frozen. I realize 2016 was a bad year, but there has been a year since then to handle those 2016 comments. I feel much better now and will feel even better after getting some sleep. 2017 Municipal Elections Manual (7/20/17) ---- --------- --------- ------ Page 9: last year I was told that only the CJ could pull ballots from a ======= (potentially) full steel ballot box and put them in boxes. I disagreed with that, saying all three judges working together should do that job. The 2016 manual was certainly worded that way. In an email to me Nicole then reiterated that only the the CJ could do this job. I responded with my continued disagreement, then heard nothing further. Yet the new manual still is worded exactly the same way as in 2016. If only the CJ can do this job (I would still say that is wrong), the manual needs to be explicit about the personnel restriction. My email correspondence with Nicole is available upon request. As an aside, hopefully the Emergency Bin will never have an overflow situation (a very bad day at some precinct with a tabulator down for hours during a heavy election). Hopefully the BOE has considered this might happen and the Help Line is ready with an answer (answer not needed in the manual). I assume there would have been lots of BOE tech onsite assistance before the bin overflowed. Page 13: I'm looking forward to learning details about the emergency transport of non-communicating tabulators to the Operations Center by POs. If after taking everything else from Rolesville to my Knightdale dropoff site (long drive in the dark), I then had to drive to the Operations Center, that would be a VERY long night. On the other hand, as far as I know none of my other POs have been to the Operations Center, so that night-time long drive from Rolesville to Raleigh could be a problem for someone else. I assume this new procedure is because coordinators could not do the job -- too many tabulators to pick up, which are widely spread around a precinct? Looks like a no-win in all cases. Page 15: Probably add here the emergency tabulator transport fee, once this is all figured out. Page 17: Also possibly affected by the emergency tabulator transport. Page 23: Mention (two places) the need to twist in the booth legs. Not all booths had the sticker. Page 26: For clarification: BAD: Next to car's front tire -> BAD: Too far forward, e.g., next to car's front tire ****** JGKCHG_7/22/17: 17 -> 2017 Page 30: 11/7/2027 -> 11/7/2017 Page 30: In primary elections, when multiple Ballot Style bar codes might be needed on an ATV, will they be vertically stacked on the left side and the "ID" (or whatever might also be on that side) be pushed down? Page 31: With the larger ATV, I'm glad to see the certification area has been expanded. I have always felt that stressing this is more important than requiring photo IDs. Perhaps there should also be an ATV poster that can be hung for voters to read before getting to the RT. With the new Curbside Affidavit, I'm also happy that a section has now been included to explicitly handle specifying a UNA voter's ballot choice. Page 33: Hopefully with the pink A written over the text as shown, the text will still be readable. There are certainly cases where such reading is required. Page 37: I was glad to see the confusing text at the bottom of the form ======= was removed, but this still leaves open the expiration question I had raised. [MC]:Manual:Page 36 As it is now, there is no guidance at all, e.g., is an expired driver license OK? Page 37: Clarification: Maybe add some text in the headings: Current Photo Identification: name matching pollbook, photo matching person Current Name & Address Document: name matching pollbook, address matching pollbook Page 41: Clarification: Change heading to distinguish the small ======= absentee list discussed here vs. the big absentee list packed in pollbook box 1. The same term is used for both. Maybe call this one the Last-Minute Absentee List, a term which is used elsewhere in a few places. This is an important list and needs a standard term used thru all the documents. Page 42: Now that (most) signing has been moved from the back of the ATV ======= to Section A, you need to mention where the voter will sign again if the first signing has ever been marked out, as shown in this example. Ditto the PO initialing. I assume this could just be done in the blank space above. Page 43: Clarification: Remove the "except in the case of a deceased voter clause". And add after that sentence, "See 'Voters Who Are Deceased' below". (Just removes the idea of having a dead person sign, per the current wording.) ###### JGKCHG_7/22/17: added reference to supporting page Page 46: Bottom oval still does not say the BT PO must check the Jurisdiction Dispute box on the ATV, as per bottom of page 49. See [MC]:Manual:Page 44. ****** JGKCHG_7/22/17: 24 -> 2024 Page 50: All the other examples show realistic dates, e.g. 11/7/17. Why is this one 11/5/2024? ###### JGKCHG_7/22/17: Why must the official always read the oath? Page 58: Step 2: Must the official always read the oath to the voter, ======= or can't the voter just read it if able? Step 5: Sign -> Sign and date Step 7: add "(or party for a primary)" as something else that might cause a trip to the HT. Steps 10 thru 12: Who has the pen when? Can't write without it. This problem was pointed out long ago. It was fixed in one election's edition, then was unfixed in the next election's edition, then was pointed out again, and remains unfixed in the latest draft. It could be handled several ways: Carry two pens, or [get pen back from voter with ATV in step 10, initial ATV, then return pen with ballot and sleeve in step 11], or wait until voter returns ballot, sleeve, and pen before initialing ATV (revise steps 12 and 13). See [MC]:Manual:Page 54. Page 59: The case of "We can't tell if the ballot was disturbed!" is ======= still not addressed. I gave a simple solution in [MC]:Manual:Page 55. Page 63: Bottom paragraph: many -> may up to date -> up-to-date Page 66: See HT QG comments below for FC #1. ======= Page 70: Last paragraph: Complete Section C -> Complete the top of Section C Page 71: Top section: I think it would be easier just to say have the ======= voter always complete the address part as well as the name part, i.e., the whole top section. That would make flowchart and manual text consistent. Many name changes will also involve an address change anyway, e.g., a woman who got married, changed her last name, and moved to a new house. ###### JGKCHG_7/22/17: Second bullet -> Both bullets Page 71: Middle section: Both bullets. Note that FC #1 (at least the ======= copies I was given) does not have the 30-day dates. FC #2 does have them. Page 71: Bottom section, bullet 2, subbullet 2: of the address from Section C -> of that address in the left side of Section C Page 72: Second paragraph says the 30-day date is on the back of the ======= ATV. Not on my copy. Page 73: See HT QG comments below for FC #2. ======= Page 74: See HT QG comment below about not having the last-minute absentee list check in the flowchart. I also propose a reminder on this page to do that check. Page 76: First section, last bullet: envelop -> envelope Page 78: The provisional envelope's Section B used to mention a 30-day check call to the Help Line might be needed. It should be noted here. [MC]:Manual:Page 74 ###### JGKCHG_7/22/17: add suggestion to include on "What's New?" page Page 79: This page should probably have the New star icon. I have a hazy recollection that this form was introduced at the last election, but was not documented in the manual. It is new to the PO manual at any rate. If it is considered new, then also add it to "What's New" on page 13. Add note that this form goes in the red bag. It is mentioned frequently elsewhere. Registration Table Quick Guide (7/19/17) ------------ ----- ----- ----- Monday Setup section: Add bullet for "Boxes of pollbooks" Monday Setup section: Will pollbook tabs no longer be provided and inserted during setup? Note I also used those tabs to flag flaky ATVs during my CJ ATV checks. Before Opening the Polls section: Bullet 2. What is this? Still a hangover from the error that was in the previous edition? See [MC]:RTQG:Page 1 On Monday night we already hung the big absentee list on the wall; it is no longer in box 1, and wouldn't be relevant to the RT people anyway. What they need to process Tuesday morning is the last-minute absentee list, which is definitely not in pollbook box 1. Some simple words about that is all that should be here. Packing Up after the Polls Close: Last subbullet: Pad of ATV forms -> Box of ATV forms (per bullet 2 above) ****** JGKCHG_7/22/17: Jurisdictional -> Jurisdiction FC: Bottom left bullet list: Delete "Jurisdiction dispute" bullet (that's BT not RT) Add "Unable to find voter in pollbook" bullet "Follow these steps" page, below the cartoon: I had hoped never to see the Station Guide mentioned EVER again. Was it ever updated to fix all the problems? To be anywhere close to the procedures used in Wake County? Is page 6 the only relevant page? Ballot Table Quick Guide (7/19/17) ------ ----- ----- ----- See manual page 46 comment about X'ing the JD box of the ATV. Help Table Quick Guide (7/19/17) ---- ----- ----- ----- Setup, bullet 2: Add a subbullet to call the coordinator FC #1: Second column, second block: Recall that the phone number is ===== here and should be hidden when you publish the chart on the website. That was forgotten last year. Second column, third block: * Must also check Section C for completeness. * grey -> gray (for consistency with all the other docs) * Manual page 69 also specifies checking the 30-day area Second column, fourth block: * complete Section C -> complete top of Section C ###### JGKCHG_7/22/17: don't restrict how much of C is filled in Second column, fifth block: * the left side of Section C -> the top of Section C Second column, sixth block: * Fill in right side of Section C Second column, seventh block: * the right side of Section C -> the top of Section C (just the right side would not even get the new name) ****** JGKCHG_7/22/17: Third -> Next-to-last Next-to-last column, bottom block: * Fill in left side of Section C ****** JGKCHG_7/22/17: Fourth -> Last Last column, first block: * Try to find why delivery was not done, e.g., old PO box * Section C -> left side of Section C ###### JGKCHG_7/22/17: add bullet between 2 and 3 to say: * Mark the reason, "Address in Section C is in this precinct." ****** JGKCHG_7/22/17: Fourth -> Last Last column, last block: * Step 3, direct voter to RT (not HT) in new precinct The "frequent mover" hole (old registered address differs from "where I lived 30 days ago") will always exist. Presumably it is understood by the powers-that-be that sending the voter to where they might have lived 20 years ago (and registered there, but moved 19 years ago and never told the BOE) vs. where they lived 30 days ago is OK as a first order solution. The voting process is never perfect. Call the Help Line if this situation is detected. [PM]:HTQG:Page 2 and [MC]:HTQG:FC2,Block4 FC #2: Check Absentee block: The need to check the last-minute ===== absentee list was again left out. This has been pointed out, fixed in an edition, then unfixed in the next edition, pointed out again... a number of times. Why is this lost over and over? Other parts of the documentation do recognize it. I'll bet many BT officials don't do this check because the flowchart keeps leaving it out. [MC]:FC2,Block3 ****** JGKCHG_7/22/17: addresses -> address FC #2: Fourth block, the HT PO could also check the laptop to see if ===== the stated "where I lived 30 days ago" address matches the registration address. Detect the "frequent mover" problem mentioned above for FC #1. All Officials Quick Guide (7/18/17) --- --------- ----- ----- Presumably the detailed sign placement information has been moved to the sign kit. I hope there will be multiple copies of the directions provided since I often have multiple people doing the sign setup as well as checking that it was done well. Voter Assistance Quick Guide (7/18/17) ----- ---------- ----- ----- There is a lot of duplication (and almost duplication) between what is in this QG and what is in the manual. Something I emphasize is "Do it once and do it right there". The "duplicates" get out of sync pretty quickly. As a reviewer I really hate this since it causes a lot of unnecessary extra work and questioning of which is right. Often I just skip reviewing the "dupes". I guess my preference would be to delete this from the manual and put it only in the QGs. Authorization To Vote Form (undated) ------------- -- ---- ---- The new form looks good. I like that the Curbside Affidavit is now part of the ATV (fewer forms to remember to take curbside) and that the Affidavit has finally been corrected for UNA voters. I like that the certification area has been expanded from the previous tiny print; see above manual page 31 comment. I assume using stickers will now mean more voters per page of the pollbooks, which is good. Also, the tearout ATVs, although good, sometimes left pollbooks pretty bedraggled, with pages hard to turn by the end of the day. By then, the remaining ATVs had a tendency to tear out accidentally and have to be taped back in. I think I like that the voter signature and PO initials (for the most part) have been moved to the front page. We probably are going to need to tell BT POs to ALWAYS flip the ATV, just in case the back was filled in and they need to check it. In the past, the lack of a Section A signature and PO initials was the main trigger to do a flip. I like the flow division (two arrows for the 30-day check) for handling the end of Section C and the graying of the related boxes between C and D. ****** JGKCHG_7/22/17: On -> One One possible improvement to the new ATV: Have some sort of horizontal bar separating the top and bottom parts of Section C to make it easier for HT POs to tell voters: "Fill out the top section." One disadvantage for me with combining the ATV and Affidavit is that it will be harder to collect curbside statistics at the end of the day. Previously I could just count the Affidavit sheets. ======================================================================== I will review when I get a draft: - ---- ------ ---- - --- - ------ CJ Pocket Guide (comments on old one were in [PM]) Laptop Guide (comments on old one were in [LT]) Tabulator User Guide (comments on old one were in [MC]) Reconciliation Form (was overlaid with "UPDATED" IN manual) Bag labels (I have caught problems with those in the past, but too late -- only after already printed) Provisional Envelope (unchanged per Amanda's 7/21/17 email; I'd still like a pdf since I need something readable to compare with what the manual says about it) ###### JGKCHG_7/22/17: added request for sign information Any interesting forms packed in the gray bin or in the CJ binder that have changed for this election? Maybe the sign list? I usually don't see those until delivery on Sat or Mon. Does the new sign list (no longer in the All Officials QG, but will be in the gray bin sign kit) still include the entry for "Absentee Voter List"? Since that isn't strictly a sign, I'm concerned it might have been deleted by someone. I believe this is the only place where this wall hanging is mentioned. If not put on that list, maybe add it as a task in the CJ PG, since it is really the CJ who needs to get the list from pollbook box 1 and see that it gets hung. Recall they forgot to put an Absentee List in our pollbook box in the 11/2016 election. We then wasted a lot of time trying to determine if someone other than the CJ had removed the list and misplaced it. Finally the BOE delivered the missing list well after we had finished all the rest of setup. ======================================================================== REMINDER ABOUT SOME ONGOING FILES: http://jgkhome.name/WakeBOE/BOE_Wish_List.txt http://jgkhome.name/WakeBOE/BOE_Supplies.txt