Election Time: Know the Issues
Palm Beach County Library System, Fla.
Innovation Synopsis
With federal elections getting the most attention in the headlines, voters are often left lacking clear, nonpartisan explanations of state constitutional amendments and local questions on the ballot. Election Time: Know the Issues is an effort to assist voters in interpreting ballot measures by providing an unbiased explanation of each.
Challenge/Opportunity
Every election cycle, Palm Beach County citizens are faced with numerous state constitutional amendments and local questions that are often undecipherable by the average voter. Since 2012, Palm Beach County Assistant County Administrator Todd Bonlarron has used his broad experience as the executive director of the Palm Beach County Legislative Delegation and director of legislative affairs to offer expert knowledge on governmental affairs in his biennial series, Election Time: Know the Issues at library locations.
Key Elements of Innovation
The Palm Beach County Library System has leveraged Assistant County Administrator Todd Bonlarron’s 20+ years of experience to offer live dynamic workshops in 14 locations throughout Florida’s second largest county, focusing specifically on state constitutional amendments and local ballot initiatives that are often confusing. Attendees have the opportunity to ask questions and leave with more of an understanding of how the outcome will affect their lives.
Achieved Outcomes
Between 2012 and 2016, 643 residents attended Election Time: Know the Issues at 18 locations. In 2018, 14 locations hosted over 567 residents who learned about Palm Beach County’s proposed one-cent sales surtax, homestead tax exemptions, solar power and medical marijuana. The Palm Beach County Library System demonstrated its role as a valuable source of unbiased and timely election information. The library plans to host Know the Issues during the 2020 election cycle, and anticipates greater audience participation.
