Board debates changing budget‑vote hours; staff to survey and return recommendation

Board members discussed potentially changing the 2025 budget‑vote hours to make voting more convenient for residents. Staff (Speaker 3) described current practice as an extended window that runs most of the day and suggested a possible 8 a.m.–8 p.m. window for next year so the district could capture evening voters while removing an early morning hour that appears to be heavily used by poll workers and staff.

"We would be 8 to 8 to 7," Staff member said during the discussion, noting tradeoffs between early‑morning accessibility and staff capacity. Board members asked about existing turnout patterns and whether a survey of voters would be useful; staff said turnout data does show concentrated activity between 7 and 8 a.m., but that early hours are often used by poll workers and staff, which can skew the data.

The board also discussed moving the regular July meeting because July 3 falls in the week of the holiday; several members said July 2 or July 3 might work given member availability. Staff will email the board to confirm availability and ensure statutory timing is met. No formal vote or policy change on vote hours was adopted at this meeting.