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looking at the JPA and the election equipment agreement as she believes they could make changes <br /> to this for the 2024 election. <br /> Councilmember Woestehoff shared that he was not prepared to discuss anything other than polling <br /> locations this evening as that was the topic of the case. He said he would fully support moving the <br /> polling location from Central Park to St. Katherine Drexel. He added that he would also like a lot <br /> of feedback from the County if they are looking at changing anything for this year's election. <br /> Councilmember Howell said if the Council is not prepared to have this discussion this evening in <br /> regard to the JPA and the equipment agreement then she would like to see this discussed at the <br /> next Work Session meeting. <br /> Councilmember Riley asked if State law requires them to use the electronic poll pads. <br /> City Attorney Knaak shared that he believes they do have to use the electronic poll pads. <br /> City Administrator Hagen added that using only paper poll pads is allowed for municipal elections <br /> only. <br /> Councilmember Howell asked if the JPA with the County does not cover these and they nullify <br /> the agreement, if the City would then have to purchase their own equipment or go back to using <br /> paper poll books. <br /> City Attorney Knaak explained that the County can impose the kind of materials that are being <br /> used and in turn, they are answerable to the Secretary of State in terms of the system they choose <br /> to use. <br /> Derek Lind, Anoka County Election Integrity Team, shared that his understanding is that the State <br /> mandate is for the machine tabulators, which was passed in May of 2023 but did not include poll <br /> pads. <br /> City Attorney Knaak said he would have to look into this. <br /> City Clerk Schmidt added that it is her understanding that they cannot make a change to the <br /> equipment that is used to administer the 2024 election. <br /> Councilmember Musgrove noted that there are some cities that do not use electronic poll pads. She <br /> agreed with Councilmember Howell that the JPA is not beneficial to the City. She said the <br /> accountability seems to be off with this agreement where the City takes on all of the liability and <br /> the County holds all of the data. She said in 2018 the agreement was signed by the City Clerk at <br /> that time. She noted that they should be protecting the data of this City; however, the electronic <br /> poll pads give anyone real time access to the data. <br /> City Attorney Knaak explained that it is the counties that run the elections and the cities are <br /> answerable to the counties. He stated that electronic poll pads were introduced as a way to reduce <br /> City Council Work Session/ September 10, 2024 <br /> Page 6 of 13 <br />