AgdaPkt 2015-05-18 Closed and Joint SA and PFA

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7.1.D. - Page 2 These data show a cost savings for the all-mailed ballot elections of as much as 43% compared to polling place elections..." These findings indicate that while an all vote-by-mail election may or may not result in greater voter turnout in San Mateo County, it would likely not reduce turnout or disadvantage any particular groups, and could present the County with significant cost savings in conducting elections. The All-Mailed Ballot Elections Pilot in San Mateo County is an effort to obtain information about the impacts of an all vote-by-mail election in a more cosmopolitan area of California, which will build off the data obtained by the Yolo County pilot. San Mateo County Elections Office On March 16, 2015 Mayor Gee and City Clerk Vonderlinden received an invitation from the San Mateo's Chief Elections Officer and Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder Mark Church to participate in a meeting introducing the AB 2028 All-Mailed Ballot Elections Pilot in San Mateo County. Both the Mayor and the City Clerk attended and had the opportunity to ask questions and understand the plan for the upcoming November 2015 Election. Mr. Church provided an overview of AB 2028, gave details about the specific language needed for the resolution affirming city participation, and explained what to expect on Election Day. He also announced it was the County's intent to do extensive outreach, including hiring an independent consultant, to lead the All-Mailed Ballot Elections Pilot. Mr. Church shared some of the benefits anticipated by his office, including cost savings, ease of election administration, and faster results on Election Day. ANALYSIS Approach Proposed by San Mateo County Elections Office An all vote-by-mail election is being proposed as an opt-in option for San Mateo County for off-year elections. The approach includes having each voter receive a postage-paid ballot at his or her designated address, in the language that has been pre-selected by the voter (English, Chinese or Spanish). In theory, the voters would return their ballots by mail. The San Mateo County Elections Office is proposing that each jurisdiction in the County offer at least one physical polling location for voters to vote by traditional voting methods or to return completed vote-by-mail ballots by hand. For most jurisdictions, this location would be their City Hall, which is normally American with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant. Any registered voter in San Mateo County could vote at any of the polling locations offered by local jurisdictions. In addition, the Elections Office will offer a Voting Center, located at 555 County Center, where voters can vote by traditional voting