Report No. 2011-111
December 2011
Complete Report
Findings in the audit of the Board of Election Commissioners, City of St. Louis
Voter Registration
The Board of Election Commissioners, City of St. Louis, (BEC) does not routinely review and update the database of registered voters, and over 2,400 voters were registered in the city and elsewhere in the state, with 1,050 listed as active in both the city and another location and 231 registered twice in the city. The BEC has made significant improvements in this area since our prior audit was issued in 2004.
Election Services Fund
The BEC deposited the additional 5 percent of election costs charged and collected to the General Fund instead of the Election Services Fund, so it is not clear the monies were used for training programs and additional supplies or equipment to improve the conduct of elections, as required by state law.
Closed Meetings
The BEC did not comply with the Sunshine Law with respect to closed meetings. Roll call votes to go into closed session were not taken and/or recorded in the minutes, the specific reasons for closing meetings were not included in the minutes, and the closed minute meetings indicate unallowable topics were discussed in closed session.
Disbursements
The BEC had no documentation that it solicited bids for five procurements over $1,000.
Campaign Finance
The BEC does not adequately track all required candidate reports, so there is no assurance complete and accurate candidate reports are filed when due and late fees assessed for violations. For five candidate committees reviewed for the year ended June 30, 2011, two did not file a 40 day report, four did not file the 30 day after report, and three did not file the 8 days before or quarterly reports. In addition, for the April 5, 2011 ballot, 11 out of 29 committees failed to file a no organization statement, and three candidates failed to file a termination statement.
In the areas audited, the overall performance of this entity was Fair.*
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act 2009 (Federal Stimulus)
The Board of Election Commissioners, City of St. Louis, did not receive any federal stimulus monies during the audited time period.
*The rating(s) cover only audited areas and do not reflect an opinion on the overall operation of the entity. Within that context, the rating scale indicates the following:
Excellent:
The audit results indicate this entity is very well managed. The report contains no findings. In addition, if applicable, prior recommendations have been implemented.
Good:
The audit results indicate this entity is well managed. The report contains few findings, and the entity has indicated most or all recommendations have already been, or will be, implemented. In addition, if applicable, many of the prior recommendations have been implemented.
Fair:
The audit results indicate this entity needs to improve operations in several areas. The report contains several findings, or one or more findings that require management's immediate attention, and/or the entity has indicated several recommendations will not be implemented. In addition, if applicable, several prior recommendations have not been implemented.
Poor:
The audit results indicate this entity needs to significantly improve operations. The report contains numerous findings that require management's immediate attention, and/or the entity has indicated most recommendations will not be implemented. In addition, if applicable, most prior recommendations have not been implemented.
Complete Audit Report
Missouri State Auditor's Office
moaudit@auditor.mo.gov
