From: James Kiffmeyer [mailto:webmaster at kiffmeyer.org] Sent: Wed 9/8/2004 4:10 PM Subject: Kiffmeyer Update: Election Day Preparedness Plan The Kiffmeyer Update The easiest way to get the latest news regarding Mary Kiffmeyer, Minnesota's 20th Secretary of State. For Release: 8 September 2004 Contact: Kent Kaiser 651-297-8919 Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer and MN Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Mgmt Outline Election Day Preparedness Plan "Terrorism Will Not Win on Election Day," Says Kiffmeyer SAINT PAUL-Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer and Minnesota Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Management Director Al Bataglia today outlined the state's Election Day Preparedness Plan. Since September 11, 2001, election officials and public safety officials have collaborated to make election operations safer, knowing that elections are a target for terrorists who seek to undermine the American way of life. "Because the important work of elections happens in a such a decentralized way-in the thousands of polling places across the state-we believed it was especially important to enlist the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, to seek and disseminate information from that agency," said Kiffmeyer. "The vision of the Department of Homeland Security & Emergency Management is 'preserving our freedoms, protecting America... we secure our homeland'. One of those freedoms is the freedom to vote," said Bataglia The Secretary of State and Dept. of Homeland Security & Emergency Management outlined how their offices worked collaboratively to develop information for polling place officials, to encourage their vigilance, and for the state's Emergency First Responders, to educate them on what to do in the special case of polling place disruption (see attached memorandum and flyer). Secretary Kiffmeyer also described the double backups of centralized state databases and computer software that in the case of an emergency would allow a seamless transition to alternate venues and platforms for the administration of elections. "The exact details of any emergency plan certainly would be subject to the needs of any real-life event and specific circumstances," said Kiffmeyer. "But, the overarching message of this plan is: Terrorism will not win on Election Day in Minnesota. To the greatest extent possible, elections will go forward. We cannot allow terrorists to undermine our election system or our way of life." "The value of this information goes beyond terrorism to any disruption, ranging from natural disasters to infrastructural issues, as well. I applaud the Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Management for its excellent work in giving voters and election workers confidence and peace of mind about participating in our state's elections," concluded Kiffmeyer. Memorandum Date: September 2, 2004 To: Emergency First Responders From: Minnesota Secretary of State's Office Phone: (651) 215-1440 Re: Responding to polling place emergencies on Election Day These guidelines by the Minnesota Secretary of State's Office are to ensure awareness of additional considerations when the site of an emergency is a polling place on Election Day. Many municipalities have already established procedures that accommodate these needs. Please check with your local municipal clerk before Election Day to confirm your understanding of one another's responsibilities in the event of an emergency. Poll is occupied before and after voting Polling places are occupied by Election Judges, and critical polling place materials are on-site, well in advance of the start of voting and remain there after voting is done to complete Election Day work responsibilities. There will be at least 3 Election Judges at every polling place. There may be several more. Counting of ballots is open to the public to observe. This begins after 8 p.m. and after the last voter has voted. Key principles 1. Once public health and safety concerns have been met, the priority of the polling place on Election Day is voting and maintaining the integrity of the election. 2. Voting is to be resumed as soon as possible. Voters are not to be deprived of their vote due to delay. 3. If voting cannot be resumed without significant delay at that polling place, the municipal clerk and Election Judges have authority to move the polling place in order to resume voting for that precinct. 4. The city or township clerk, head Election Judge, and other Election Judges have authority to appoint additional Election Judges on Election Dayas they need them. 5. Election Judges (including those taking emergency appointment) have primary responsibility and authority to handle and secure election materials, and for voting activities. Securing polling place materials On arrival at a polling place in response to an emergency, first responders should identify and establish contact with the head election judge. If the head election judge is not available, then any other election judge should be identified and contacted. If no election judge is available, then the city or township clerk, as the chief election officer of the precinct, must be notified. Election materials must be kept secure to prevent their loss or the opportunity for tampering. This includes during a delay prior to resuming voting, and during a transfer to an alternate polling place. It is the sole responsibility of the appointed Election Judges to secure all election materials, absent exigent circumstances. However, if Election Judges are unable to secure election materials, due to exigent circumstances, it is the responsibility of first responders to secure election materials, under their inherent duty to protect property or to secure evidence at a crime scene. In extreme conditions when the facility and polling place materials themselves may be at risk, priority should be given to recovering and securing for transfer to Election Judges the following: · ballot box (or voted ballots in ballot box), · voted ballots in sealed transfer cases, · electronic counter (if any), · roster (the list of registered voters), · un-voted ballots, · Election Day voter registrations, and · other polling place materials on or about the tables where Election Judges were working. If it is not possible for an Election Judge to take custody of election materials, emergency response personnel should secure all election materials under the inherent authority of their position. Election materials must be transferred to Election Judges as soon as possible. Election materials that are initially secured by other than law enforcement personnel should be transferred to law enforcement personnel as soon as possible, following all standard law enforcement procedures for securing and maintaining custody of evidence. All election materials should then be transferred from law enforcement custody to a duly appointed Election Judge, as soon as possible and in accordance with law. Resuming normal operations When operation of the polling place resumes, and peace restored, no peace officer shall enter or remain in a polling place or stand within 50 feet of the entrance of a polling place, as provided in Minn. Stat. 204C.06. ************************************************************* Election Flyer: Phone 651-215-6951 Fax 651-215-6929 444 Cedar Street, Suite 223 St. Paul, MN 55101 Minnesota Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Signs of Potential Election Disruptions Here are some of the types of things you should report to your local law enforcement: * Unusual packages or containers, especially those found in unlikely or sensitive locations, such as near heating, venting, air conditioning (HVAC) or air intake systems. * Unusual powders or liquids/droplets/mists/clouds, especially those found near air intake/HVAC systems. * Indications of tampering within the polling place, with such things as locked ventilation/ * HVAC systems and other equipment; stocks of food; water supplies. * Unexplained/unusual odors. Smells may range from fruity/flowery to sharp/pungent, garlic/horseradish-like, bitter almonds, peach kernels and new mown grass/hay. * Unusual/unscheduled spraying or discovery of spray devices or bottles. * Vehicle riding low on springs or resting low in the rear. * Suspicious vehicles left in front of a polling place with the flashers on. Behavior of a homicide bomber: * May appear nervous, unresponsive (blank stare) or pre-occupied. * May show lack of mobility; torso appears stiff. * Shaved head or short hair (for "purification" purposes). * Smell of unusual herbal/flower water or perfume (again for "purification" purposes). * Demonstrates forceful actions (pushes through a crowd to reach a desired target). * May be seen praying fervently to himself/ herself, giving the appearance of whispering to someone. Clothing/appearance of a homicide bomber: * To conceal an explosive device attatched to the body, homicide bombers may wear a coat or vest that looks too big or bulky and may be out of place for the climate. * Unusual shapes or bulges protruding from a person's mid-section; explosive-laden "support belts" may visibly protrude from the bomber's clothing. * A strong grip will be applied to the device, keeping it close to the bomber's body. In light of the most recent information provided by federal officials stating that al-Qaida may stage an attack to disrupt the U.S. elections, Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management has put together a list of potential signs of terrorist activity at polling places. CALL 911 TO REPORT ANYTHING SUSPICIOUS The preceding list is by no means all-inclusive. Targets can be engaged in many ways with different methods of attack. However, remaining vigilant and paying attention to the factors listed above may reduce the risk and potential damage of a terrorist attack. ************************************************************* The Kiffmeyer Update is sent by James Kiffmeyer. See the kiffmeyer.org web site for information on contacting Mary, pictures, biography, and more. Feel free to forward this Update to other lists or individuals, as long as these closing comments are maintained. Anyone can add their email address to the list by going to the website or sending an email to James at James at kiffmeyer.org (same address to unsubscribe)