Author: Kim Strach, Executive Director
Notwithstanding any guidance to the contrary, affected county boards of election must comply with this numbered memo when handling cross-county municipal elections. Municipal elections involving more than one county pose unique challenges to county boards of elections required to ensure the right of voters to cast a ballot in their county of residence. This numbered memo memorializes an email sent by Veronica Degraffenreid on Aug. 18, 2015 and reflects a concerted effort to comply with statutory requirements while acknowledging administrative constraints during the 2015 municipal election cycle. if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Host County
Absentee-By-Mail
If absentee voting is permitted, the host county may only handle absentee voting for voters who reside in your county.
One-Stop
If absentee voting is permitted, the host county may only handle absentee voting for voters who reside in your county.
Election Day
Voters from the non-host county may vote in your county on Election Day. (See Non-Host County guidance for Election Day, below).
Notice to Voter
Notice must also be posted at municipal government building. Absentee ballot request forms should be made available. Notice must be placed in daily or weekly paper. Notice must be sent to municipal officials explaining the methods by which voters who reside in municipality may vote.
Non Host County
Absentee-By-Mail
If absentee voting is permitted, the non-host county must handle absentee voting for their county. Returned ballots may be hand-counted.
One-Stop
If absentee voting is permitted, the non-host county must handle absentee voting for their county. Ballots are placed into a secure ballot box. Board must meet to approve the ballots. Ballots may be hand-counted. If more than 20 ballots, then ballot must be delivered to host county for machine tabulation.
Election Day
Voters must be able to vote in their own county or the host county. You may transfer to BOE as a central precinct. Office must be open 6:30 am to 7:30 pm. Ballots may be placed into a secure ballot box. Ballots may be hand-counted. If more than 20 ballots, then ballot must be delivered to host county for machine tabulation.
Notice to Voter
County must send notice to their voters advising them that they may vote:
- Absentee by-mail enclose request form;
- Absentee one-stop in county of residence only; or
- On Election Day at BOE office or in host county.
Notice must also be posted at municipal government building. Absentee ballot request forms should be made available. Notice must be placed in daily or weekly paper. Notice must be sent to municipal officials explaining the methods by which voters who reside in municipality may vote.
↓ Cross-County Municipal Elections: Numbered Memo 2015-03 (PDF)