1. 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.

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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

8. Email Blasts Create a candidate contact sheet
Send 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.

9. Thank You
Stephanie Taylor Harford County Board of Elections (410) direct (410) cell