A. 
It is the policy of the municipality to encourage and assist voters in the exercise of their right to vote. Certain unforeseeable circumstances, whether through natural disaster or human error or other similar events, could severely impede the timely and efficient conduct of an election. This chapter is intended to empower the municipal clerk to take necessary actions to enfranchise voters and protect the election results.
B. 
In an emergency, the municipal clerk is authorized to take action to preserve the integrity of the election, while at the same time allowing people to vote who might otherwise not get an opportunity. Actions authorized under this chapter include requesting expedited relief from a court of competent jurisdiction, keeping all or some polling locations open longer than otherwise allowed by code, moving polling locations, and accepting votes not cast on official ballots. In such circumstances, the municipal clerk shall take steps to maintain a record of the action taken and, if possible, adequately segregate votes cast under circumstances attributable to this chapter, so that a court may rule on the action taken and add or subtract votes as may be necessary.
(AO No. 2013-130(S-1), § 12, 1-14-2014)
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
"Emergency"
means an event of such a nature that a significant number of people will not have the opportunity to vote on the day of the election if the municipal clerk does not take immediate action and an effort to enact and implement an emergency ordinance by the assembly under Charter section 10.03 is not practical given the totality of the circumstances.
(AO No. 2013-130(S-1), § 12, 1-14-2014)
A. 
In an emergency, the municipal clerk is authorized to take action to preserve the integrity of the election, while at the same time allowing eligible voters to vote who might otherwise not get an opportunity.
B. 
Actions authorized under this chapter may include, but are not limited to:
1. 
Requesting expedited relief from a court of competent jurisdiction;
2. 
Keeping all or some polling locations, vote centers, and ballot drop boxes open longer than allowed by code;
3. 
Closing all or some polling locations, vote centers, and ballot drop boxes permanently or for a limited time regardless of the requirements in this title, while providing eligible voters other opportunities to vote;
4. 
Accepting application to vote at temporary addresses, to vote by electronic transmission, or for special needs voting after the deadlines in this title but before the close of an election;
5. 
Moving polling locations, vote centers, and ballot drop boxes; and
6. 
Accepting votes not cast on official ballots.
C. 
The municipal clerk shall take steps to maintain a record of the action taken and, if possible, adequately segregate votes cast, so that a court may rule on the action taken and accurately add or subtract votes as may be necessary. The municipal clerk shall provide public notice of changes to matters required by other sections of this title. This includes the notice of election, polling locations, vote centers, and ballot drop boxes, if the changes substantially differ from a previous published notice. A notice of changes may, but is not required to, be published in a newspaper of general circulation.
(AO No. 2013-130(S-1), § 12, 1-14-2014; AO No. 2017-29(S), § 55, 6-1-2017; AO 2020-5(S), § 10, 2-11-2020; AO No. 2020-33, § 1, 3-20-2020; AO No. 2020-131(S), § 14, 1-14-2021; AO No. 2024-109(S), § 7, 12-3-2024)
A. 
Unofficial ballots. If there are insufficient official ballots available at a polling location or vote center, election officials shall use the available sample ballots and may create photocopies of the same, if needed. If sample ballots are not available and the election officials determine it is unlikely additional ballots will be received prior to the closing of the polls, election officials may provide any available paper to voters. If possible, election officials should receive direction from the municipal clerk prior to using unofficial ballots.
B. 
Unofficial ballots cast shall be treated as unscanned or paper ballots, not questioned ballots, and shall be secured with all other unscanned or paper ballots.
(AO No. 2013-130(S-1), § 12, 1-14-2014; AO No. 2020-131(S), § 14, 1-14-2021)
If weather, road conditions, or other unforeseen circumstances prevent election officials from delivering election materials or ballots to or from the polling locations, vote centers, ballot drop boxes, or the designated return location, the municipal clerk may cause the delivery to be made by a peace officer or other municipal official.
(AO No. 2013-130(S-1), § 12, 1-14-2014; AO No. 2017-29(S), § 56, 6-1-2017; AO No. 2020-33, § 2, 3-20-2020; AO No. 2020-131(S), § 14, 1-14-2021)