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Home / About The Board / Press Releases and Board Meeting Notices / January 2, 2024 Board Meeting Minutes

January 2, 2024 Board Meeting Minutes

January 2, 2024

January 2, 2024 Board Meeting Minutes

January 2, 2024

HAMILTON COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS
MEETING HELD
JANUARY 2, 2024 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 and Deputy Director Alex Linser and Dave Stevenson 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: DECEMBER 12, 2023

Mr. Triantafilou made a motion to approve the Board Meeting minutes for December 12, 2023; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

II. CERTIFICATION: MARCH 19, 2024 PRIMARY ELECTION PARTISAN CANDIATES PETITIONS

Several lists were provided to the Board for review:

1. 2024 Primary Candidate List – Filed Sufficient. There are two candidates included who filed for Sheriff: Charmaine McGuffey and James Neil. Staff received notification from the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas that these two candidates have met the requirements and are eligible to be candidates for this office. Staff recommends certification of the complete list of candidates.

Mr. Triantafilou made a motion to approve this list of candidates to the ballot; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

2. Filed – Candidate not Eligible for Office of Sheriff. The Board was advised that one candidate, Christopher Maher, filed petitions for Sheriff. Correspondence has been received from the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas as well an entry from Judge Wagner indicating that this candidate has not met the qualifications to run for Sheriff; said entry dated 12/20/23, which was the filing deadline as well as the deadline for meeting those qualifications. Follow-up communication indicated that additional information was received but the qualification paperwork was still not complete.

The Candidate, Christopher Maher, addressed the Board with statements relative to his qualifications for this office and his concerns regarding this matter.

Mr. Triantafilou followed up with questions for Mr. Maher and inquired of Mr. Stevenson for advice. Mr. Stevenson stated that qualifications for this office must be demonstrated by the deadline.

Mr. Triantafilou made a motion to reject the petition consistent with the law and the Court Entry; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

3. Filed – Insufficient. The Board was advised that candidate Regina Collins filed petitions that were found to have an insufficient number of signatures.

Mr. Triantafilou made a motion to reject this petition; Mr. Mallory seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

4. Democratic Party Central Committee Candidates – Sufficient. Mr. Linser addressed the Board with the following two lists. The first being individuals found to have submitted sufficient paperwork; Staff recommends approval.

Mr. Triantafilou made a motion to approve this list found to be sufficient by Board Staff; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5. Democratic Party Central Committee Candidates – Board Review. Mr. Linser advised the Board that the 15 individuals on this list have each made a similar mistake in the date entered for the Election date. In some cases the date is incorrect; in others it is missing. The Board was reminded this is a substantial compliance matter for the Board to determine.

Mr. Terry Tranter was present to address the Board on the matter of one of the candidates on the list: Monica D. Lira, for Amberley Village Precinct C. Mr. Tranter submitted a written objection to the candidacy of Ms. Lira via fax on December 25, 2023. His objection to Ms. Lira relates to the date of November 7, 2023 being placed on her filing for Precinct Executive in Amberley Village Precinct C. It is his belief this differs from the substantial compliance issues of the other candidates on this list. The Board briefly discussed the matter.

Mr. Linser reminded the Board that the form indicates this is a Primary Election and there are no petitions involved with this filing. Mr. Stevenson noted that as the form states the election is a Primary election and the Supreme Court of Ohio has upheld that the omission of the date or the misstatement of the date is a substantial compliance issue.

Mr. Triantafilou made a motion to approve the complete list of Democratic Central Committee Candidates on the “Board Review” List; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

III. CERTIFICATION: MARCH 19, 2024 PRIMARY ELECTION WRITE-IN CANDIDATES

Ms. Poland advised the Board that there are no Write-in candidates filed at this time; the deadline is January 8, 2023.

IV. CERTIFICATION: MARCH 19, 2024 PRIMARY ELECTION QUESTIONS AND ISSUES

The Board reviewed the list of 8 Questions and Issues filed for the March 19, 2024 Primary; Staff recommends certification.

Mr. Triantafilou made a motion to approve the list of 8 Questions and Issues; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

V. APPROVE: MARCH 19, 2024 ELECTION ADMINISTRATION PLAN

Ms. Poland noted that the March 19, 2024 Election Administration Plan had been previously circulated for Board review.

Mr. Triantafilou made a motion to approve the March 19, 2024 Election Administration Plan; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

VI. DISCUSSION: NOVEMBER 7, 2023 GENERAL ELECTION ANOMALY REPORT

Ms. Poland reminded the Board that there were 6 voters remaining on the list originally presented to the Board. A second notice was sent to each voter on December 14, 2023 requesting the voters contact the Director or Deputy Director. Two voters have made contact and provided their explanations:

#4 indicated to Deputy Director that he received the 11S form to cure the absentee ballot; rather than submit the cure form, he went to the polling location to vote.

#15 contacted Deputy Director. Voter indicated her sister, residing at the same address with a similar name was the voter who was checked in at the polling location.

Ms. Poland advised the Board that, with regard to #16 on the Anomaly list, she and the Deputy Director have an appointment to meet with the Nursing Home Administrator and Staff of the Mt. Airy Garden Nursing home and will report back to the Board at a future meeting. The remaining voters on the list have not been reached. The Board discussed next steps concerning #2, #10, #13, #14. The Board was advised that the letters were not sent Certified mail as Staff finds regular mail to be more effective; the letters were not returned undeliverable. The letter advised the voters that if they did not respond they may be referred to the Prosecutor’s Office.

Mr. Triantafilou made a motion to refer the matter to the Hamilton County Prosecutor for further investigation; Mr. Mallory seconded. Ms. McFarlin – yay; Mr. Triantafilou -yay; Mr. Gerhardt -yay; Mr. Mallory -nay. The motion carried.

VII. SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY REVISION

Ms. Poland advised the Board that Staff is requesting to add LinkedIn to aid in the recruiting of poll workers and seasonal Election Staff to the Social Media Platforms of Facebook, Instagram, X and Nextdoor currently approved for Board use.

Mr. Triantafilou made a motion to approve the addition of LinkedIn to the Social Media Platforms used; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

VIII. APPROVE: PERSONNEL MATTERS

The Board was advised of the following Personnel matters:

1. Approve: Full-Time Staff Appointment – Mark Meckstroth to the position of Registration Official, Voter Services Department.

Mr. Triantafilou made a motion to appoint Mark Meckstroth to the position of Registration Official; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

2. Approve: Personnel Policy Manual Update: Optional Vacation Credit Payout.

The Board was advised of the proposed revised policy to allow full-time staff with at least 5 weeks accrued vacation time, the option of requesting a payout of up to 35 hours vacation time. A similar policy was adopted by the Hamilton County Commissioners in 2023. Staff recommends approval of this similar policy.

Mr. Triantafilou made a motion to approve the policy; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

3. Approve: Salary Adjustments

Ms. Poland advised the Board that the Hamilton County Commissioners have approved the 2024 budget which includes a 3% cost of living adjustment. Staff recommends a 3% increase across the Board to all Full-time employees effective the first pay period of 2024.

Mr. Triantafilou made a motion to approve the 3% cost of living adjustment to all staff; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

IX. OTHER BUSINESS

The Board was reminded of the next meeting, a Special Meeting on January 23, 2024 at 8:30am. At that time the Poll Worker Assessments from the 2023 General Election will be presented.

Kenny Henning, District Liaison with the Ohio Secretary of State’s office addressed the Board.

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: JANUARY 23, 2024

CHAIR: GWEN MCFARLIN

DIRECTOR: SHERRY L. POLAND