Board Votes to Remain at 470 Center Street for the November 5th General Election
Geauga County Board of Elections (BOE) - Regular Meeting 07/18/2024
Meeting Info: Regular Meeting on July 18, 2024 at 9:00 am in BOE Conference Room at 470 Center St, Bldg 6A, Chardon, OH, 44024. Attendance options were both in-person and virtual, via Microsoft Teams. An agenda was provided in advance and copies were distributed to all attendees.
Attendance: Present were:
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Board Chair - Dennis Pavella
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Board Member - Joan Windnagel
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Board Member - Janet Carson
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Board Member - Richard Piraino
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Director - Michelle Lane
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Deputy Director - Nora McGinnis
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Office Administrator - Scott Daisher
County Representatives: Virtually - Charles Walder, Auditor and Frank Antenucci, ADP Chief Deputy Administrator.
Others: In person - three members of the public and two LWV Geauga Observers.
Call to Order: 9:05 a.m.
Minutes: Minutes for June 20, 2024 were approved without comment or edit.
Payment of Bills: Bills totaling $12,618.92 were approved, and included $4,087.45 for the Ohio SOS Conference, $4,000 deposit for alarm system installation, $1,725 for website set up and conversion with Triad, $920.00 for mandated training, and $810.00 for poll pad printer rolls and other routine office expenses.
ADP Update: Mr. Antenucci and Mr. Walder updated the Board on numerous items:
Website - Mr. Antenucci noted the new Triad website is stable and complies with Secretary of State requirements.
Nov 5 General Election Readiness - Mr. Antenucci stated a security team list is being prepared and will be submitted to the Secretary of State for approval; in case the new office space is not ready in time for the Nov 5 election, he proposed enhancing security at 470 Center Street by having ADP staff upgrade security cameras using equipment already in their inventory. Mr. Antenucci also proposed adding multiple licenses for ZeroEyes automated firearm detection software.
New Office Building Update - Mr. Antenucci reported the concrete pad for the secure ballot box should be completed by vendor CCI by mid-August. Contract was approved by BOCC (Board of County Commissioners), and the vendor is waiting for direction from BOCC to initiate the work. Installation of security cameras is expected to be complete by mid-September. Elevators are still not ready for security camera installation. Various board members noted that many items that require Commissioner efforts remain unresolved, including problems with the main service counter and failure to provide an accessible women’s bathroom.
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Mr. Pavella commented “we’re in the hurry up and wait mode.”
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Mrs. Windnagel confirmed that the plans for the ballot box were approved by the Secretary of State’s office.
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Mr. Walder stated that CCI, a frequently used local vendor, was feeling “burned” by the Commissioners' recent failed effort to acquire and renovate the Chase Building. Per Mr. Walder, CCI prioritized that project at the expense of other clients, only to have the project fall through.
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. Per BOE, the September 20, 2024 UOCAVA deadline signals the start of the November 5th General Election, making July 8, 2024 the deadline for the Commissioners to complete all outstanding items.
Requirement to Report Fraud - Mr. Walder advised the board of State Auditor Bulletin 2024-005, which details new General Assembly mandates for training elected officials and political subdivision employees to report fraud, waste and abuse to the Auditor of State. A seven minute video must be viewed by existing employees within 90 days and by new employees within 30 days of hire.
Computer Replacement - Staff presented a quote for replacement of CPUs (Central Processing Units) and monitors that were characterized as “end of life.” After Board review, additional units were added so that equipment is consistent throughout the organization. The original quote will be modified accordingly. Board authorized expenditures up to $35,000.
Allocation of Voting Equipment - Board approved allocation of voting equipment for the November polling locations, as recommended by Scott Daisher.
Allocation of Ballots - Mrs. Lane reviewed the Secretary of State’s new requirements for calculating required ballots. The Board discussed expectations of higher voter registrations and therefore more voters because this is a Presidential election. The Board approved allocation of up to 71,000 ballots.
Summer Conference - The Board discussed improvements over previous conferences. Mr. Piraino noted the focus on election security.
November General Election Planning -
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Board agreed to hire KnowInk to support the proper function of poll pads on election day and ESS to support other voting equipment. Observer Note: During the March 2024 primary election, there were some problems with poll pads not synching with each other. Staff confirmed the problem had no impact on how votes were cast or how ballots were counted.
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Mrs. Lane requested that the board consider increasing the number of Marshalls.
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Multi-agency radios (similar to a walkie talkie) are coming from the State to assist with election day communications.
Primary Election Candidate Violation - Mrs. Lane requested that the Board make a decision regarding a reported election day violation involving a candidate requesting information out of a poll book at locations in Chardon Twp and Munson Twp. After discussion, the board opted to investigate further, either by gathering written statements or holding a hearing under oath.
Executive Session - At 10:27 AM by roll call vote, the board entered into executive session under ORC 121.22(G)(1) to consider the evaluation/compensation of a public employee. The board re-entered public session at 11:29 AM.
Personnel Action - The board expressed appreciation for the extraordinary work of the BOE staff. Cost of Living Adjustments were announced and additional compensation was approved to reflect expanded duties taken on by some staff members.
Timing of Move to County Administration Building
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Mrs. Carson expressed concern about the lack of progress on outstanding items at the new BOE offices at the County Administration Building.
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Mr. Pavella commented that moving now would negatively impact voters. He specifically mentioned the risk that forwarding mail to a new address would result in delays processing Absentee Ballot Applications and responses to the NCOA (National Change of Address) postcards that recently went out. Mr. Pavella stated further that Chris Burnette, Elections Director for Secretary of State LaRose, shares these concerns.
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Mrs. Lane expressed frustration with an article published by the Geauga Times Courier, which featured County Commissioner complaints about delays and costs associated with the BOE’s move without providing readers with the BOE’s perspective.
Based on their discussion and to ensure the integrity of the election, the board voted 4-0 to remain at the current location through the completion of the General Election cycle.
Deputy Director Report - Mrs. Lane reported:
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Staff processed 13 boxes of petition books to check signatures for Geauga voters supporting the Citizen Not Politicians ballot initiative.
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She and Mrs. McGinnis are working with LWV Geauga to present a moderated discussion with the community about voting. Reviewer Note: This meeting will take place on September 18th at the Library Administration Building at 6:30 pm. More information will be posted on the LWVGeauga website.
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They need to edit the poll worker manual to reflect the new requirement for voters to prove citizenship when voting.
Public Comment: none
Next Meeting - August 15, 2024 at 9:00 am.
Approved Minutes - Posted on the BOE website
Observer: Shelly Lewis
Editor: Sarah McGlone
Reviewer: Gail Roussey
Date Submitted: 8/11/24
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.