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Home / About The Board / Press Releases and Board Meeting Notices / February 11, 2025 Board Meeting Minutes

February 11, 2025 Board Meeting Minutes

February 11, 2025

February 11, 2025 Board Meeting Minutes

February 11, 2025

HAMILTON COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS
MEETING HELD
FEBRUARY 11, 2025 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. Gerhardt and Mr. Mallory. Also present: Director Sherry Poland and Deputy Director Raquel Burgos and Pat Dressing 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: JANUARY 14, 2025

Mr. Gerhardt made a motion to approve the Board meeting minutes for January 14, 2025; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

II.APPOINTMENT OF NEW DEPUTY DIRECTOR

Mr. Mallory made a motion to appoint Raquel Burgos as Deputy Director; Mr. Gerhardt seconded. The motion passed unanimously at which time Ms. Burgos was sworn in by Chair Gwen McFarlin.

III. DISCUSSION: 2024 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION ANOMALY REPORT

Ms. Poland provided an overview of the continued progress in investigating the 2024 Presidential Election Anomaly report, having mailed letters to 15 voters and receiving responses from 2. As we await further responses, Staff recommends tabling the matter until the next Board meeting.

Mr. Mallory made a motion to table this agenda item; Mr. Gerhardt seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

IV. APPROVE: 2024 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION PRECINCT ELECTION OFFICIAL PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS

Ms. Poland reported that the review of all 296 polling locations is complete. The Board reviewed the summary of findings and recommendations:

154 received a perfect score
40 were noted as having adequate performance
102 were recommended for additional training
10 Precinct Election Officials were recommended for retirement/not rehire

Mr. Gerhardt made a motion to adopt the recommendation; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

V. CERTIFICATION: MAY 2025 PARTISAN CANDIDATE PETITIONS

Separate lists of Partisan Candidate petitions were submitted for Board review:

1. Filed- Sufficient: Staff has reviewed and recommend Certification:
Mr. Gerhardt made a motion to Certify these candidates; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

2. Filed- Insufficient: Staff has reviewed and found this candidate’s petition did not contain the required number of signatures; Staff recommends rejecting this petition.
Mr. Gerhardt made a motion to reject this candidate’s petitions; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

3. Filed- Board Review: Staff has reviewed and found each of these candidate’s petitions to require further Board review:

Candidate, City of Cheviot Council: Council Elected by Ward; Candidate neglected to include the ward number in the Nominating Section. The board was advised by legal counsel this is a strict compliance issue.
Mr. Gerhardt made a motion to reject the part petitions; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Candidate, City of Harrison Council: Candidate signed and dated the Declaration of Candidacy after the electors signed the part petitions; the signature must occur prior to electors signing petitions. The board was advised by legal counsel this is a strict compliance issue.
Mr. Gerhardt made a motion to reject the part-petitions; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Candidate, City of Norwood Council Ward 3: 2 part-petitions submitted; on second part petition, the Candidate section was left blank. The board was advised this is a substantial compliance issue and was provided guidance by legal counsel regarding case law and precedent.
Mr. Gerhardt made a motion to reject this petition for failure to meet the substantial compliance required; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Candidate, City of Reading Council Ward 2: Similar to the last candidate: 2 part-petitions submitted; on second part petition, the Candidate section was left blank.
Mr. Gerhardt made a motion to reject this petition for failure to meet the substantial compliance required; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Candidate, City of Sharonville Council Ward 4: Similar to the last 2 candidates: 3 part-petitions submitted; the Candidate section was left blank on all.
Mr. Gerhardt made a motion to reject this petition for failure to meet the substantial compliance required; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Candidate, Village of Silverton Council: The incorrect Election year was included on one part-petition. There is guidance in the Election Official Manual. The Board was advised by legal counsel this was a substantial compliance matter for the Board to determine.
Mr. Gerhardt made a motion to accept these part petitions; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

VI. CERTIFICATION: MAY 2025 PRIMARY/SPECIAL ELECTION QUESTIONS AND ISSUES

The Board reviewed the list of 9 local Questions and Issues that have been submitted to be placed on May 6, 2025 Primary/Special Election Ballot; Staff recommends certification.

Mr. Gerhardt made a motion to certify the list of Questions and Issues to the May 6, 2025 Primary/Special Election ballot; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

V. APPROVE: MAY 2025 PRIMARY/SPECIAL ELECTION PRECINCT ELECTION OFFICIAL ASSIGNMENTS

Ms. Poland explained that under state law adjustments may be made to staffing levels of Precinct Election Officials for a Primary/Special Election in which a lower turnout is expected. The Board reviewed the Staff recommendations.

Mr. Mallory made a motion to approve the revised Staff recommendation of staffing levels; Mr. Gerhardt seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

VI. RESOLUTION: AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF EQUIPMENT DELIVERY CONTRACT (25-001)

The Board was advised that the 2 year Equipment Delivery Contract expired at the end of last year. An invitation to bid was issued with just one bidder, our current vendor, bidding. This resolution gives the Director and Deputy Director the authority to execute the contract with approval from the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s office.

Mr. Gerhardt made a motion to accept Resolution 25-001; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

VII. FULL TIME STAFF APPOINTMENT

Ms. Poland advised the Board of the departure of the Republican full time Precinct Election Official Recruitment and Training Supervisor. Staff recommends the appointment of Olivia Jacobs to fill this role.

Mr. Mallory made the motion to approve the hiring; Mr. Gerhardt seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

VIII. OTHER BUSINESS

Mr. Mallory reported that this is the last Board meeting of Chair Gwen McFarlin. Ms. McFarlin has resigned her position as Board chair. Mr. Mallory presented a proclamation on behalf of the Hamilton County Board of Elections to Chair McFarlin. Mr. Gerhardt read a statement on behalf of fellow Board member Alex Triantafilou and made a statement on his own behalf, thanking Ms. McFarlin for her service. Kenny Henning, Deputy Director of Regional Operations, presented an Accommodation on behalf of the Ohio Secretary of State and made a statement on his own behalf. Ms. Poland and Ms. Burgos expressed appreciation on behalf of Staff to Ms. McFarlin.

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: MARCH 4, 2025

CHAIR:          ALEX LINSER

DIRECTOR:  SHERRY L. POLAND