August 16, 2023 Board Meeting Minutes

HAMILTON COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS
MEETING HELD
AUGUST 16, 2023 AT 8:30AM

The meeting of the Hamilton County Board of Elections was called to order at 8:30am. Present were members Ms. McFarlin, Mr. Triantafilou, Mr. Gerhardt and Mr. Mallory. Also present: Director Sherry Poland, Deputy Director Alex Linser and Charlie Anness from the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office.

It was noted that proper notice was duly provided as required by O.R.C. 121.22. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

I. APPROVE: BOARD MEETING MINUTES: AUGUST 7 & 8, 2023

Mr. Triantafilou made a motion to approve the Board Meeting Minutes for August 7 & 8, 2023; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

II. APPROVE: BALLOT REMAKES

Ms. Criddle presented the following ballots to the Board. All were remade by bipartisan teams pursuant to Secretary of State Directive and Board policy:

Remakes: Damaged Mr. Triantafilou made a motion to approve
A552 – A553 the ballots as remade; Mr. Mallory
seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

III. APPROVE: AUGUST 8, 2023 SPECIAL ELECTION PROVISIONAL REPORT

Ms. Poland advised the Board that Staff is continuing the proofing process and requests the Board stand in recess today and reconvene tomorrow (Thursday) at 8:30 am to Approve the Provisional report.

IV. HEARING: PROTEST OF SAMANTHA SILVERSTEIN’S CANDIDACY FOR JUDGE OF THE HAMILLTON COUNTY MUNICIPAL COURT (DISTRICT 4)

Ms. Poland advised the Board that on July 27th a protest regarding the candidacy of Samantha Silverstein for Judge of the Hamilton County Municipal Court District 4 was filed with the Board by Christopher McDowell, a qualified elector in the district. Upon receiving the filing, Staff promptly set the hearing date and notified both parties, who are present here today. Ms. McFarlin read a prepared statement, advising that this was an administrative hearing under which the Board is operating in a quasi-judicial capacity.

Curt Hartman appeared first, on behalf of Mr. McDowell. He noted that the response filed on behalf of Ms. Silverstein was received this morning and they had the opportunity to review it. Mr. Hartman stated that in light of the information set forth in the response, the protest is withdrawn. He noted that he was not informed of the temporary certificate that was issued on March 9th and had that information been made available, the protest would not have been filed.

Mr. Joshua Engel spoke on behalf of Ms. Silverstein, thanking counsel and the Board.

There being no further business to come before the Board, Mr. Triantafilou made a motion to stand in recess; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

HAMILTON COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS
MEETING HELD
AUGUST 17, 2023 AT 8:30AM

The meeting of the Hamilton County Board of Elections reconvened on Thursday August 17, 2023 at 8:30am. Present were members Ms. McFarlin, Mr. Triantafilou, Mr. Gerhardt and Mr. Mallory. Also present: Administrator Chuck Eckert on behalf of Director Sherry Poland, Deputy Director Alex Linser and Charlie Anness with the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s office.

It was noted that proper notice was duly provided as required by O.R.C. 121.22. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

I. APPROVE: AUGUST 8, 2023 SPECIAL ELECTION PROVISIONAL REPORT

The Board reviewed the Summary Staff Recommendation for the August 8, 2023 Primary/Special Election dated August 17, 2023:

Total # of Provisional Ballots issued: 3861

Total # Accepted: 2934
Accepted:
Wrong Precinct/Correct Location: 3
The Board reviewed the Provisional Ballots identified by staff for rejection. The Ballots were presented by category:

Total # Rejected: 927
Not Registered: 411 Mr. Triantafilou made a motion to accept the Staff recommendation to reject these ballots; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Voted Wrong Precinct/ 85 Mr. Triantafilou made a motion to accept the
Wrong Location Staff recommendation to reject these ballots;
Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

No Signature 9 Mr. Triantafilou made a motion to accept the
Staff recommendation to reject these ballots;
Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed
unanimously.

No Printed Name 1 Mr. Triantafilou made a motion to accept the Staff recommendation to reject this ballot;
Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

No Address 13 Mr. Triantafilou made a motion to accept the
Staff recommendation to reject these ballots.
Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed
unanimously.

No ID: 165 Mr. Triantafilou made a motion to accept the Staff recommendation to reject these ballots; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

No Ballot: 7 Mr. Triantafilou made a motion to accept the
Staff recommendation to reject these envelopes which contain no ballot; Mr. Mallory
seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Voter already voted*: 15 Mr. Triantafilou made a motion to accept the
staff recommendation to reject these ballots; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
*To be included in the anomaly report to be presented to the Board

Missing or Incorrect: 218 Mr. Triantafilou made a motion to accept the DOB staff recommendation to reject these ballots; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Further Review:
DOB incorrect 3* Mr. Triantafilou made a motion to accept these ballots per Secretary of State Directive and Staff recommendation: Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
*The Board was advised that, per the Secretary of State’s Election Official Manual, if all other information provided is accurate per BOE records, the ballots may be counted.

Mr. Triantafilou made a motion to accept 2934 Provisional Ballots and add those to the official count; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

There being no further business to come before the Board, Mr. Triantafilou made a motion to adjourn; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

APPROVED: SEPTEMBER 8, 2023

CHAIR: GWEN MCFARLIN

DIRECTOR: SHERRY L. POLAND