08. Elections Joint Powers Agreement

(f) The County shall be responsible for establishing and managing the polling locations for the joint elections, including setting the hours polls are to be open. Polling hours shall be consistent throughout the County. The City or District shall be responsible for costs associated with use of City or District owned facilities for polling purposes. (g) The County shall be responsible for naming the election board, including inspectors, for the joint elections in accordance with NDCC Title 16.1. (h) The County shall provide and maintain necessary poll books required by law. (i) The canvassing board shall be the County Canvassing Board in accordance with NDCC Title 16.1. (j) Within 5 days after the results of an election are declared by the canvassing board, the County shall certify to the City and District, the official results of the election. The City and/or the District shall be responsible for issuing a Certificate of Election to each person elected for a position with the respective governmental entity. (k) The County shall administer absentee balloting in accordance with NDCC Title 16.1. Absentee voter applications shall be available from the County for joint elections; absentee ballots for joint elections shall be handled by the County. 4. COSTS: (a) The County, City, and District shall share in the savings provided by holding joint elections. (b) The County shall pay all costs associated with the Election and Canvassing Boards in joint elections. (c) If the County is asked to administer a Special Election for the City or District, the Polling Locations, Election Boards, Poll Books, and Printing costs shall be the responsibility of the City or District. (d) A City initiating a ward system where only citizens within the ward vote on commission/board candidates will be responsible for the additional costs of ballot splits. (e) If a City or District requires that absentee or vote-by-mail applications be sent to all potential voters, the City or District shall be responsible for the related costs. 5. RECOUNT: In the event a recount is properly demanded or is required by law according to NDCC 16.1-16-01 for a City or District election which as been combined with the County according to the law and this agreement, the County Auditor (Finance Director) shall conduct the recount according to NDCC 16.1-16-01 and certify the new results of the election to the City Auditor or School District Business Manager who shall be responsible for issuing new certificates of election if applicable. (a) In the event a recount is properly demanded or is required by law according to NDCC 16.1-16-01 for a special City or District election which has not been combined with the County according to the law and this agreement, the City Auditor or School Business Manager, to the extent applicable, shall conduct the recount and perform all duties of the County Auditor. (b) The expenses incurred in a recount of a City or District election, whether or not the election was combined with the County, must be paid by the City or District. 6. DURATION: This agreement shall take effect on January 1, 2022 and continue until December 31, 2022. Thereafter, this agreement automatically renews for an annual term commencing on the first day of January and ending on the 31st day of December, unless any of the parties notify the other parties in writing of its intention to withdraw, modify or amend this agreement. That