The City of Takoma Park Board of Elections is established. The Board of Elections shall be composed of up to seven members who shall be appointed by the Council. The Council shall make every effort to ensure that the Board of Elections includes representatives from each Council ward.
(Ord. 2006-36 (part), 2006/Ord. 2007-36 § 1, 2007/Ord. 2015-28, 2015/Ord. 2020-7, 2020; Ord. 2022-30 § 1, 2022)
A. 
Qualifications. Members of the Board of Elections shall be qualified voters of the City and shall not hold or be a candidate for any elective office in government (Federal, State, County, or local) during their term on the Board. Members of the Board of Elections also shall not serve as the treasurer or campaign manager for any candidate for City elective office or be an advocate for or against any campaign or ballot referendum question in a regular or special City election. Any member who ceases to meet the qualifications for membership on the Board of Elections shall automatically forfeit his or her membership on the Board and the Council may act to fill the vacancy.
B. 
Term. Members of the Board of Elections shall serve staggered three-year terms. All terms shall begin on July 1st and end on June 30th. Midterm vacancies on the Board of Elections shall be filled by the Council for the remainder of the unexpired term.
C. 
Oath of Office. A member of the Board of Elections shall take an oath of office upon assuming their initial term.
D. 
Removal. Any member of the Board of Elections may be removed by the Council before the member's term has expired if the Council determines that the member has become incapacitated, has failed to reasonably perform their duties as a member of the Board of Elections, or for other good cause. Before removal, a member of the Board of Elections who is proposed to be removed shall be given written notice of the proposed removal and the reasons for such action. If the Board member requests a public hearing on the proposed removal within 10 days after receipt of the written notice, then the Council shall conduct a hearing before acting on the proposed removal. Any member who fails to attend, without being properly excused by the Chairperson, three or more consecutive meetings of the Board, or a majority of five consecutive meetings, shall be deemed to have provided good cause for removal by the Council.
(Ord. 2006-36 (part), 2006/Ord. 2015-28, 2015/Ord. 2020-7, 2020/Ord. 2022-30 § 1, 2022)
A. 
Officers. The Board of Elections shall elect a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson for a one-year term or until a successor is elected.
B. 
Quorum. A majority of the members of the Board of Elections shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
C. 
Meetings. The Board of Elections shall meet as required to perform its duties, but at least once a year. Regular or special meetings shall be convened by the Chairperson or by a majority of the members of the Board of Elections.
D. 
Administrative Regulations and Rules of Procedure. The Board of Elections may adopt administrative regulations and rules of procedure to further regulate the activities of the Board.
E. 
The City Attorney shall be the legal advisor to the Board of Elections.
(Ord. 2006-36 (part), 2006/Ord. 2015-28, 2015/Ord. 2020-7, 2020/Ord. 2022-30 § 1, 2022)
The Board of Elections shall:
A. 
Plan and conduct regular and special City elections in coordination with the City Clerk;
B. 
Encourage voter registration in the City;
C. 
Conduct voter education programs and prepare and distribute voter outreach materials;
D. 
Recommend to the Council amendments to the City's elections law and regulations when it deems such amendments are necessary and will provide for the improved conduct of elections;
E. 
Periodically review City elections procedures;
F. 
Serve as election judges in City elections;
G. 
Identify additional qualified individuals for appointment as election judges and workers during a regular or special City election;
H. 
Investigate and decide allegations of violations of the City of Takoma Park's election laws;
I. 
Direct that corrective action be taken with respect to any election-related violation;
J. 
In the event an election issue arises that is not addressed in the City of Takoma Park's Charter or Code or the Board of Elections Regulations, the Board of Elections may, at its sole discretion, apply the election laws of the State of Maryland or another local government in the State of Maryland to resolve the issue; and
K. 
Perform such other duties as may be assigned to the Board of Elections by Charter, ordinances and resolutions, and by the direction of the Council.
(Ord. 2006-36 (part), 2006/Ord. 2015-28, 2015/Ord. 2020-7, 2020/Ord. 2022-30 § 1, 2022)