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Geauga County Board of Elections (BOE) - Special Meeting 04/19/2024

Meeting Info: Special Meeting on April 19, 2024 at 1:00 pm in BOE Conference Room at 470 Center St, Bldg 6A, Chardon, OH, 44024.  In-person and virtual, via Microsoft Teams. This Observer participated virtually and noted poor audio quality.

 

Agenda: An agenda was provided in advance.

Attendance: Present were:

• Board Chair - Dennis Pavella

• Board Member - Joan Windnagel

• Board Member - Janet Carson

• Director - Michelle Lane

• Deputy Director - Nora McGinnis 

Board member Richard Piraino was absent.

County Representatives: none

Others: Three members of the public in-person;  Virtual public participation varied from 3-5 individuals. Former BOE member Nancy McArthur joined virtually around 1:35 pm.

Call to Order - 1:06 pm

Minutes: April 9, 2024 minutes approved without edit or discussion. 

Payment of Bills: none

ADP Update -  Mr. Pavella indicated that no one from ADP was available to provide an update.

Post Election Activities - Guidance for the March 19, 2024 Primary Election post-election activities, including recounts and post election audits, is provided in Ohio Secretary of State Directive 2023-31

• Recount, Democratic Member of County Central Committee for Russell Township D

Board members and Mrs. Lane exited the conference room to observe the recount, which was taking place in a BOE office space.  Before departing, they confirmed that none of the members of the public had been appointed as representatives of either candidate. Mrs. McGinnis remained in the conference room and explained that a bipartisan team was completing the recount of the 58 ballots cast in this race.

Observer Comment:  This race between Rachel Hazelwood and Jim Mueller ended in a 29-29 tie.  During the April 9, 2024 certification meeting, the race was decided by coin flip in Mr. Mueller’s favor. Per Secretary of State directive, a recount is required for any race ending in a tie.

At 1:53 pm Board members returned to the conference room and Mr. Pavella announced the recount confirmed the original 29-29 tie. BOE Staff member Scott Daisher explained that the bipartisan team had conducted a hand count of the 58 ballots and that the ballots had also been run through a scanner. All efforts resulted in the same 29-29 tie. 

Board voted 3-0 to accept the results of the recount.

• Post Election Audit 

Randomly selected a contested County race from a jar, choosing to audit the Commissioner race featuring Carolyn Brakey and Walter Claypool.

Required to audit precincts totalling at least 952 ballots.  Randomly selected precincts to audit from a jar, choosing Chester Twp I (288 ballots), Chester Twp G (313 ballots), Chester Twp E (317 ballots) and Chardon Twp A (384 ballots).  Ballots for these races total 1,203.

Board voted 3-0 to conduct the Post-Election Audit on Friday, April 26, 2024.

Gilmore Security Contract - This contract is for the planned BOE office in the new County Administration Building.  The Board noted that concerns relayed by legal counsel are not getting resolved. Given time constraints for moving to the new office, Mrs. Lane will request a resolution within two weeks so that BOE may send this out to bid again if necessary.

Triad Website Agreement - The Board voted unanimously to pursue a contract with Triad to create a new website. The company serves many other BOEs in Ohio and also provides voter registration systems. The current vendor was unwilling to complete the Secretary of State’s Security Supplement.

Director’s Report -  Mrs. Lane reported:

• Since her last report on April 9, she has made several trips to the County Administration Building and has worked on their budget submission. The observer was unable to hear her comment about Building 8.  She will begin work on the financial report for the state and complete the voting booth specs so that they may be sent out for bid.

• She is exploring a ring tone system to be used by voters needing curbside voting. Mrs. Carson expressed concerns about internet signal strength in the area where this will be located. Mr. Pavella requested that the vendor demo the product.

• Mrs. Carson inquired about the status of the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approving installation of cameras in the elevators at the new office building in order to assure chain of custody of ballots as required by the Secretary of State. Mr. Pavella indicated he and Mrs. Lane appeared before BOCC during their April 16, 2024 meeting and that the project was approved.

Moving Date - Regarding the planned move from 470 Center Street, Building 6A offices to the new County Administration Building:

• Mrs. Carson expressed concern about the timing of moving to the new office, noting a lack of urgency to address unresolved issues and concern over whether a special election will be called in August.

• Mr. Pavella agreed and listed outstanding issues regarding the security system, door locks, counter area, handicapped bathrooms and fumes mitigation.
  

Observer Comment: The Consent Decree filed May 26, 2023 stipulates that the BOE may not move during the 75 day period prior to a Special or General Election or until after post- election work is completed. Referring to the Ohio Secretary of State’s Election Calendar, pertinent dates are:

Deputy Director Report - This observer was unable to hear the report due to poor audio quality. 

Public Comment: 

• Shelly Lewis of LWV Geauga inquired about the status of the ballot box/security cameras project that was discussed during the April 9, 2024 BOE meeting. Mr. Pavella indicated they had met with Glenn Vernick, BOCC Maintenance Director, to discuss alternatives. In Mr. Pavella’s opinion, the revised location proposed by Mr. Vernick would require a change in the current traffic pattern.

• Nancy McArthur sought clarification about the language in the Consent Decree, stating her understanding that any move must be completed 75 days prior to an election.

Meeting adjourned at 2:55 pm.

Next Meeting - Special Meeting for Post Election Audit on April 26, 2024 at 10:00 am. 

Approved Minutes - posted on the BOE website.

Observer: Shelly Lewis

Editor: Anne Ondrey

Reviewer: Sarah McGlone 

Date Submitted: 4/23/24

The League of Women Voters of Geauga is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. They do not support or oppose individual candidates or parties. Learn more about the LWVG at www.lwvgeauga.org.