The Henry County Board of Elections discussed a push for legislative reform allowing for a four-year director term during the April monthly meeting. The following includes brief notes taken by a Peanut Gallery volunteer as a public service only. Contact the Henry County Board of Elections for questions or official information.
Henry County Meeting Notes
4/15/2020@ 1:00 p.m. via Zoom
1:00 p.m.
Dan Richardson Calls the meeting to order
Motion to Approve the minutes for the February and March Meetings.
Unanimously Passed
Old Business
Grant Update: Dan Richardson: The Paperwork for the $5,000 protection equipment grant will be sent out this afternoon. Some vendors are short on the personal protection equipment they need. Mask in particular.
Donna McBride: Are we looking at multiple vendors?
Dan Richardson: Currently only using contracted vendors.
Ameika Pitts: We have some, but not enough hand sanitizer or wipes to last
Dan Richardson: Going to try to contact other vendors. We are looking into adding face shields as well.
Looking into resolution to two polling locations problems:
Some citizens had to go to two polling places to cast votes due to city and county lines not aligning.
County has sent letters out to cities asking them to align with counties to prevent this happening with future elections.
Dan Richardson: The push to have certain legislation changes this year failed.
Tried to get a change of term for Director from two year term to four.
Wants the Board to be able to act without a 5th member/Commissioner appointed member.
Written up and sent out to hopefully be addressed in 2021.
Presidential Preference Primaries:
6,798 in person turnout
Ameika Pitts: As a clarification, those that voted in the Presidential Preference Primary can vote in the June 9th election.
Polling Location Information:
Reminder that machines MUST be delivered at least one hour before a polling location can open
Currently we have 10 trucks reserved for the June 9th election
Dan Richardson: Do we have backups if they cancel?
Ameika Pitts: Yes, we do have reserves in place
Donna McBride: Are drivers employees of the county?
Brooks: Yes, by law they have to be.
Ameika Pitts: Currently one polling location is closed indefinitely and four others are waiting to assess the situations
Donna McBride: Are we looking for alternatives for those four, just in case?
Ameika Pitts: Yes
Currently we are down three poll managers due to retirement and are looking to promote assistant managers. We have no poll workers quitting as of yet
Dan Richardson: We will have eight workers at each location
Currently, they are trying to determine how to adjust the election with the current 10-person limit.
The focus is also on having the machines set up in such a way as to ensure there is a six-foot distance between the voters.
Dan Richardson: How are we disinfecting equipment?
Ameika Pitts: We will be wiping them down with 70 percent alcohol wipes
We are also working to ensure privacy by having privacy partitions, as well as having voters maintain a certain distance.
Mail in Ballots:
166,268 ballots in total were mailed out
12,124 ballots received and being processed
4,486 already processed
4,366 returned due to P.O. Box issues
Dan Richardson: Keep in mind, the actual ballots have not yet been approved, so there is no concrete date for when they will be sent out.
Mildred Schmelz: Are we covering the cost of postage?
Ameika Pitts: for returns yes, that is my current understanding
A motion is made to have one drop off location in front of the office due to concerns.
The motion is passed unanimously
2:33 p.m. meeting is adjourned
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