State Board of Elections Board Meeting

              STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS BOARD MEETING
Monday, April 21, 2008
MINUTES
PRESENT: Albert S. Porter, Chairman
Bryan A. Schneider, Vice Chairman
Patrick A. Brady, Member
John R. Keith, Member
William M. McGuffage, Member
Wanda L. Rednour, Member Jesse R. Smart, Member
Robert J. Walters, Member
ALSO PRESENT: Daniel W. White, Executive Director
Steve Sandvoss, General Counsel
Darlene Gervase, Administrative Specialist II
Chairman Porter called the meeting to order at 10:35 a.m. and led everyone in the pledge of allegiance. Member Smart held Member Walters’ proxy until his arrival at 12:10 p.m.
Vice Chairman Schneider moved to recess to the State Officers Electoral Board at 10:36 a.m. Member Smart seconded the motion which passed unanimously. The meeting of the State Board of Elections resumed at 10:53 a.m.
Executive Director White presented the minutes of the March 7 regular and March 13 special meetings. Member Brady suggested a change on the last line of page 4 to change the word “from” to “for.” The sentence would read: “The committee is a pass through or a conduit for contributions to candidates and does not keep any of the money.” Vice Chairman Schneider moved to adopt the minutes with Member Brady’s suggested change and Member Keith seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously by roll call vote.
The Executive Director indicated that the Springfield office was telephonically connected and available for staff that could not be present in Chicago. Further, that an amended agenda, including Electoral Board matters, a motion regarding Citizens of Judy Barr-Topinka, and a report regarding Populex was sent under separate cover and that additional copies were available.
Mr. White began his report with consideration of the competitive grant application to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission for the Election Data Collection Grant program. Congress awarded 5 grants in the amount of $2million. This competitive grant program is designed to develop and document administrative and procedural best practices that can be replicated by other states to improve processes to collect accurate and complete data and document specific administrative and management data collection practices. The application was published in the U.S. Federal Register on March 27 and is due by April 28. An SBE committee, consisting of Steve Sturm, Steve Flowers, Mark Mossman, Mike Roate and Kyle Thomas has been established to complete this lengthy application. The Director indicated that the funds would be spent before the November election. A few of the issues discussed by the Board was to ensure costs paid with state funds, that should have been paid with federal funds were identified; and allocation of the funds and spending authority was addressed by the legislature. It was agreed to proceed quickly with the application as receiving this grant would be a bonus. Vice Chairman Schneider moved to authorize the staff to submit the application for the EAC Election Data Collection Grant. Member Brady seconded the motion which passed by 8-0 roll call vote.