The Uptown group that is holding elections for the local community planning group has just sent out notices that in-person voting will continue on Friday, August 30th. As you may recall, the election was halted due to computer glitches in the midst of in-person balloting. One can imagine all the frustrated and angered residents who were waiting in line.
Here is the bulk of their new notice:
Online Voting to Resume
In any new process using a new (to us) system there are opportunities to learn, but overall we are happy with the online voting approach. We chose to use an online election tool for a couple of reasons. First, it allows a much larger pool of people who may not be willing or able to attend in person events to cast a vote. Secondly, it provides a far more robust auditing capability than prior methodologies. Working with the vendor, we identified some changes to the configuration of the election that will prevent a recurrence and have implemented that for the remainder of voting.
As we send out this newsletter, we are now resuming online voting. Ballots will be released starting at noon on August 27th. We have kept registration open, but had suspended sending out ballots or allowing those you may have received to be used. Here is what will happen:
-
- If you have already cast your vote, online or in person, you need do nothing. Your vote has been recorded and counted.
- If you have registered online and a ballot was sent to you, you will receive a new ballot using the method you had previously chosen (email or SMS)
- If you registered but were not sent a ballot, you will receive a ballot to allow you to vote
- If you want to vote in person or don’t feel comfortable sending the required documentation online, we have scheduled a second in person voting opportunity, details below.
- Online registration and voting will remain open until 5:00 PM on Tuesday, September 3, 2024.
In Person Voting Event
An additional in person voting event has been scheduled for Friday, August 30, 2024 from 4:00-8:00 PM at the First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego, 4190 Front St, San Diego, CA to allow those who were not able to vote or present documentation at the first event. Anyone in line at 8:00 will be offered a chance to vote. Be sure you have the proper documentation to register in person!
We have revised some of the processes that led to long lines and have worked to optimize the in person registration and voting process.
The process is pretty straightforward. If you have not pre-registered, your documentation will be checked and your neighborhood verified to ensure you get the proper ballot.
Next, your name and neighborhood will be entered in the voter roll. We are required to keep this role, but it contains only the minimum information necessary.
We recommend that your ballot is sent to your smart phone via email or text, but you may choose to have your ballot transferred to one of our tablets for voting. The ballot is the same in any case. We will have volunteers on site to assist with using the technology or any other assistance that may be needed.
Special Board Meeting
A special board meeting to announce the results and seat the board will be held after the holiday weekend on Tuesday, September 3rd at 6:00 PM at the Hillcrest Business Association Offices, 1601 University Ave, San Diego, CA or virtual. Registration and online voting will remain open until 5:00 PM.
We will announce the results and seat the new board. At that point they become the recognized Community Planning Group for Uptown. The city and Uptown Planners chair will be notified.
The board will appoint an interim chair to manage the process of scheduling its first meeting at which officers will be appointed. That person will take over the web site, email and election accounts.
The Interim Election Committee will have completed its charter and will end. The new board will need to appoint its new standing committee at its next meeting.
From that point on, the new board will provide advice to the city on items within the scope of the charter of the group.
So what’s next?
Once the election is closed, you may wonder what happens next?
We expect a very diverse board with dedicated representation reflecting each of our neighborhoods and the business community. After all, that diversity was the whole point for changing to a new board structure.
The Interim Election Committee would like to thank all of the candidates, volunteers and voters who participated in this change to a new board structure that we feel better represents the diverse nature of our neighborhoods in Uptown with ideas across the ideological spectrum.
We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and confusion the suspension of voting has caused and continue to work diligently to ensure that all voters will have a chance to cast their ballots for the candidates of their choice. Please check our web and social media sites for more information and we will send out notices to local community groups and those who have accepted marketing / emails.
Candidate Information
Prior to voting, you may want to learn more about the candidates vying for your vote. You can find the candidates and the statements they provided for you here.
CANDIDATE STATEMENTS
REGISTER TO VOTE
If you have not yet registered to vote in this election (your registration with the County Registrar is different) you can register and learn more at the link below. You will need to provide a document that shows you reside or own a business or other property in one of the Uptown neighborhoods.
VOTER REGISTRATION
Questions?
We understand this is not the situation anyone wanted to find ourselves in, but we will work to ensure everyone has the opportunity to cast their vote.
If you have questions, you can reach us at:
contact@uptowncommunityplanning.org
https://uptowncommunityplanning.org
Our Website: https://uptowncommunityplanning.org
Via email: contact@uptowncommunityplanning.org
