iGO Educational Conference Harford County Board of Elections (MD) Making Candidates & Political Parties Your Biggest Fans iGO Educational Conference July, 2018 – Reno, Nevada Stephanie Taylor Project Manger Harford County Board of Elections (MD) All Material © 2018 International Association of Government Officials. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized Use Prohibited.

Harford County Board of Elections 189,151 Registered Voters 86 Precincts 13 Employees 83 Local Candidates 38 State Level Candidates

Be Transparent Create a Strong Web Page Who, what, where, when and how to file Discuss the different filing types Regular Petition Non Principal Write-ins The more transparent you are the more confidence the candidate has in your office Who is eligible What paperwork do they need Where do they file – State Board vs County Board When does filing start and end How do they file – make an appointment We useds to offer mini seminars on the candidate filing but they were not well attended. They seem to like the one on one contact better

Do Your Homework Contact other agencies prior to the start of candidate filing State Board of Elections Discuss any changes in paperwork Find out current contact information about Campaign Finance State, County and Board of Education Ethics Commission Find out current contact information How are the Financial Disclosures filed (online vs hardcopy) The more information you have about the process will make the candidate more comfortable coming to you and your office with questions

Open Communication Encourage the candidates to call or stop by prior to filing to ask questions Recommend they make an appointment to file Create a filing package Election calendar, campaign finance manual and schedule, copies of all paperwork, signage info, contact info Explain each step of the process at the time of filing 1. We have met with candidates prior to filing to answer any questions about paperwork and to explain the process 2. By making an appointment they will not have to wait. We set that time a side for that candidate to file, ask any questions, take pictures and receive a tour of the office 3. Filing package includes – election calendar, campaign finance guide and a detailed filing schedule, copies of all paperwork that was turned in, Signage info, contact information – Campaign Finance direct number and address (SBE), how to obtain voter lists, our website, zoning contact information for district maps and the direct phone lines to the individuals in office who can answer any questions about candidacy.

Tour of the office Server Room Explain how results are uploaded for Early Voting and Election Day Warehouse Walk thru the L & A process Show them how the equipment is maintained & stored Multi Purpose Room Election judge training, focus groups & canvassing Offer demonstrations of voting equipment 1. Early Voting polls are not closed and uploaded until Election Day by a bi-partisan team (who have to sign a confidentiality agreement) and the results are kept under lock and key until the closing of the polls 2. L&A explain the process – teams and sealing of equipment 3. Show the packroom and the AB/Prov room. Only two people have a key to the room – chain of custody & security 4. Explain how we give demo to the central committees, local churches and anyone who requests it as well as VRV

Canvassing Explain the canvassing process Invite them to attend - Canvass is open to the public - Tell them that EVERY absentee and provisional vote is addessed regardless of Election day results

Email Blasts Create a candidate contact sheet Send email blasts about key dates Campaign finance reports due Voter registration closing Last day to request an absentee ballot Or about unexpected events - Unexpected events – publishing of results would start at 9:00 pm vs 8:00 pm due to Baltimore City extend voting by court order at three of their locations due the last minute moves due to power issues.

Thank You Stephanie Taylor Harford County Board of Elections sltaylor@harfordcountymd.gov (410) 809-6003 direct (410) 218-6305 cell