City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: NOVEMBER 18, 2020
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
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Consideration of a Submission of a Grant Application for The Center for Tech and Civic Life COVID-19 Response Grant
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ISSUE: The Center for Tech and Civic Life (CTCL) has generated a COVID-19 Response Grant program to all U.S. local election jurisdictions. Backed by a $250 million private contribution, CTCL goals are to help ensure local election jurisdictions across the country have the staffing, training, and equipment necessary so that during the November General Election every eligible voter could participate in a safe and timely way and have their vote counted.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
(1) Ratify the grant application and award of $201,650 received from CTCL. The City of Alexandria is eligible to apply for a grant amount based on a formula that considers the citizen voting age population and other jurisdiction demographic data; and
(2) Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents that may be required.
The nation faced added challenges during the 2020 General Election which has incurred costs that were not previously budgeted. Never before has the U.S. held a presidential election during a national pandemic. In anticipation of high voter turnout, the General Registrar's Office made plans and did respond with care and consideration for public health and safety. While additional support was provided by the State, having access to additional funding sources allowed the City to lessen the burden on City as well as federal CARES Act funding.
The City hosted 32 precincts city-wide on Election Day for 101,573 active registered voters. The Virginia General Assembly passed HB 1 earlier this year that permits any registered voter to vote by absentee ballot in any elec...
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