Listen
Notes from a conversation with a city council member & reminder that demand is high for integrity reform
While calling county auditors in 2022 to ask for cast vote records I learned a few things such as that one vendor had done an update which removed the county’s ability to audit their election.
Have similarly learned many things through one-off conversations with people of all walks, specialties, and roles, some of which I hope to bring together in the current in-progress book.
What is it like to be a City Council Member?
Recently, I spoke with a city council member who had been given a presentation from the Anoka County Election Integrity Team (ACEIT). There are already 2 cities in Anoka County—the City of Oak Grove and the City of Ramsey—which have passed resolutions to expand their hand counts to more precincts and down ballot races should the county canvassing board agree.
What I learned was that this council member has a difficult job to do. At one point this council had to fire their county attorney because the attorney wasn’t helping them.
It struck me that there was an appreciation for the various difficulties that exist in local government combined with a can-do attitude and knowing what one’s role is.
While many of us reading are obviously not city council members, if we are ever to engage with a council member, we ought to know what their role entails, where they are focused now, and perhaps a few themes from their working environment. This is a basic and pragmatic bit of research to do before engaging.
Gathering info and human connection
How to get this information?
One way is to attend a city council meeting. Observe. Listen.
Another way is to engage directly. Again, could be at a council meeting or by email or phone. (I tend to learn the most by phone since two-way conversation can be had.)
If one finds this a bit nerve-racking, one suggestion is to let go of the near-term outcome.
Imagine you will be carrying out a multi-year conversation, as with a neighbor… does this change your perspective or approach?
It’s my feeling right now that if local government is to work, then frequent conversations should be occurring and information flow be high between citizens and their local representatives.
If you bring something to the table that you want the council to do:
try to keep it simple because there is a lot on their plate.
Be credible by providing enough background information, problem, and solution.
Follow up to keep a productive information flow.
I think this is part of what made recent successes happen in Anoka County to expand hand counting—through the statutory post election review (PER) process—passed in two cities by resolution from the city councils, unanimous in both cases. (The county canvassing board will still decide whether to go along with this plan when they meet after November 5th to certify the election and kickoff the post election review (PER) process.)
It helps to find leaders within councils who realize that city staff may not always be aligned with them and sometimes put delays or roadblocks in their path—but if a council members understands they have authority and power as a council member and council and that the citizens who they represent are depending on them to make good decisions, then positive action can be taken.
Demand is high for integrity reform
Maybe you have felt this as well.
There are many with legitimate grievances from our very government.
Now, there are also those within government, like local city council members, who are waiting for our help, help from citizens like you and me.
The reason I know this is because I keep hearing it.
It is stated outright and sometimes in implied ways. I have heard it in town board meetings, in city council meetings, in county commissioner meetings and in private conversations throughout the last two years in particular.
In December 2023 I heard from one commissioner in a rural county—I’m alone right now on the commissioner board so I need help from the citizens.
I have heard second hand by one mayor that it was known on election night 2020 that something was quite wrong, but that what was needed was an organized citizen team to knock on their door.
Want to help?
As mentioned above, there are already 2 cities in Anoka County—the City of Oak Grove and the City of Ramsey—which have passed resolutions to expand their hand counts to more precincts and down ballot races should the county canvassing board agree.
If this can happen there, it can happen in any municipality in the state, any city or town. Maybe you want to help?
Just hit REPLY to this email and type ‘I want to help’.