Date of Meeting: 9/21/2022
Format: In-person
Meeting Summary:
The minutes of the August 29th and September 6th meetings were approved. Ms. Nielsen briefed the board on the public information requests the BOE has received. Typically, the BOE receives approximately 20 a year. This year, during the last two months, they have received 50-60 requests. The requests generally fall into two groups: 2020 election information and the case vote record. The latter is not something the BOE uses and thus is not subject to the freedom of information act. The 2020 election information is voluminous and requestors will have to pay for the copying. The BOE is working with the prosecutor concerning these requests and will address them in a timely manner subject to the priority of preparing for the general election.
Ms. Lyons briefed the board about last night's Supreme Court ruling that a candidate for Secretary of State must be added to the ballot. The BOE must wait for directions from the Secretary of State concerning how to handle this addition. Likely it will involve the recreation of several steps required to prepare for November's election.
Logic and Accuracy testing was performed for the 11/8/22 general election and all the mechanisms worked appropriately. Another public test will be required on the official ballot once the additional candidate is included.
Ballot Allocation and Machine Allocation: As of 9/20/22 there were 107,392 registered voters in Portage County. Applying the required additions to this count, the board approved ordering 110,565 ballots. The board also approved the allocation of machines, all of which are on hand. The number of ballots and machines is based on registrations and will not be affected by the addition of a candidate to the ballot.
Which members of the board/council were present: Denise L. Smith, Chair; Members: Doria Daniels and Amanda Suffecool; Director Faith Lyons and Deputy Director Theresa Nielsen. Absent was member Randi Clites - Out of town
Was there a public notice of the meeting that included the time and place of meeting: Yes
Was an agenda of the meeting or handouts available to visitors: Yes
Are minutes from previous meetings posted/available: No
Name of Observer: Jane Preston Rose