In light of the April 3 article in The Daily Sentinel, we thought it would be appropriate to clarify the need for the elections warehouse.

The word “warehouse” may not accurately depict what is needed for the Elections Division to test, maintain, stage and house a vital component of conducting an election. The space needed must be climate controlled and relatively clean. Additionally, the space must be able to have additional electrical, security cameras, alarm systems and have Internet or T-1 capability. This space is used by the election staff for days and weeks at a time; therefore, the space must also have some general amenities such as bathrooms and wash basins at the very least.

Because this is a secure facility, the Elections Division staff must be the janitorial staff for the facility as well. The security requirements dictated by the Secretary of State for this voting equipment are very stringent and subject to adjustment on a regular basis.

The Elections Division has been out of space for at least two years. The space we presently have is not sufficient for all of the operations that must go on, as well as all the activities that continue to be added to the election process.

We have been in search of new space to test, maintain, stage and house the voting equipment for quite some time. This is not a new problem. The Clerk and Recorder, over the years, has suggested several locations (for purchase or lease) to county commissioners, not only for elections storage and staging, but also for the operation of the main motor vehicle office.

Government moves slowly, unless it seems, it is in crisis. When acting in crisis, a bigger bill usually accompanies, as is the case with this warehouse lease.

The lease payments that would be required in 2008 have already been appropriated to the county facilities and clerk and recorder budgets. No additional funds would need to be allocated or appropriated for the lease contemplated. The election equipment needs to be moved between April 15 and April 20, the shipment of additional equipment is arriving April 21. We need space NOW!

AMY STORM
Chief Deputy
Mesa County Clerk and Recorder
Grand Junction

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 3rd, 2008 at 2:42 pm and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.