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Home / About The Board / Press Releases and Board Meeting Notices / March 4, 2025 Board Meeting Minutes

March 4, 2025 Board Meeting Minutes

March 4, 2025

March 4, 2025 Board Meeting Minutes

March 4, 2025

HAMILTON COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS
MEETING HELD
MARCH 4, 2025 AT 8:30AM

The meeting of the Hamilton County Board of Elections was called to order at 8:30am by Mr. Gerhardt. Present were members Mr. Linser, Mr. Triantafilou, 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. BOARD REORGANIZATION PURSUANT TO O.R.C. 121.22

The Honorable Judge Chris Wagner administered the Oath of Office to Board Members Alex Triantafilou, Joe Mallory and Alex Linser. A representative of the Hamilton County Clerk of Court’s office was present to obtain the signatures of the newly sworn Board members for the official record.

Mr. Gerhardt made a motion to appoint Mr. Triantafilou temporary Chair; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously whereupon Mr. Triantafilou proceeded to conduct the meeting.

Mr. Gerhardt made a motion to appoint Sherry Poland Director; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Mallory made a motion to appoint Raquel Burgos Deputy Director; Mr. Gerhardt seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Mallory made a motion to appoint Alex Linser Chair; Mr. Gerhardt seconded. The motion passed unanimously with positive remarks in favor of this appointment including a message from former Chair Gwen McFarlin and whereupon Mr. Triantafilou turned the meeting over to Mr. Linser.

Mr. Linser called upon Judge Wagner to deliver the Oath of Office to all Board of Elections Staff including Director Sherry Poland and Deputy Director Raquel Burgos.

II. APPROVE: BOARD MEETING MINUTES: FEBRUARY 11, 2025

Mr. Triantafilou made a motion to approve the Board meeting minutes for February 11, 2025; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

III. DISCUSSION: 2024 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION ANOMALY REPORT

The Board reviewed the spreadsheet and Ms. Poland provided an overview of the continued progress in investigating the 2024 Presidential Election Anomaly report. Pursuant to instructions from the Board, certified letters were sent to the voters who Staff has not been able to reach; it was noted that this was the second letter sent to these voters. 2 responses were received. These voters provided reasonable explanations as to the circumstances of their anomaly. Ms. Poland provided an overview of the 15 voters remaining on the list.

Mr. Triantafilou made a motion to refer the final 15 voters on the 2024 Anomaly report to the Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office and to the Secretary of State Public Integrity Division; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

IV. CERTIFICATION: CINCINNATI MAYORAL PETITIONS

The Board was advised that there were three Candidates who filed petitions for Mayor of Cincinnati; Staff reviewed these petitions and found them to be sufficient, recommending certification.

Mr. Triantafilou made a motion to certify the three candidates to the May ballot; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

V. APPROVE: REVISION TO QUESTION AND ISSUES NUMBERING AND BALLOT ORDER POLICY

The Board was advised of a recent change in State law regarding how the State will number State questions and issues. The new law states that beginning with the past November, 2024 Election, State questions and issues will be numbered consecutively beginning with Issue 1 from last November and continuing consecutively through every election occurring until the State has issued 500 State Issue numbers, at which time the numbering will restart at 1.

The Board policy has been to number local questions and issues consecutively starting after the State Issue, if there is a State Issue, and to start at 1 if there is not a State Issue. The revised policy before the Board allows for the flexibility to continue this policy while following the new numbering policy of State Issues.

Mr. Triantafilou made a motion to adopt the revision; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

VI. RESOLUTION: AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF MAIL HOUSE SERVICES CONTRACT (25-002)

The Board was advised that the current Mail House Services contract expires at the end of the year. An Invitation to Bid was issued with one bid received. Staff performed a site visit and a number of tests and recommends the Board adopt the resolution that would award the bid to Graphic Village and give authority to Director and/or Deputy Director to enter into the contract with the approval of the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office.

Mr. Triantafilou made a motion to adopt Resolution 25-002; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

VII. PERSONNEL MATTER: ADMINISTRATOR RETIREMENT AND RE-EMPLOYMENT

Mr. Triantafilou made a motion to re-employ Elections Administrator Chuck Eckert effective April 1, 2025; Mr. Gerhardt seconded. Mr. Triantafilou -aye; Mr. Gerhardt -aye; Mr. Liser -aye; Mr. Mallory -abstain. The motion carries.

VIII. APPROVE: PERSONNEL POLICY REVISION

Ms. Poland provided and overview of suggested changes to Personnel Policy Sections 4.3 and 6.0.

Mr. Triantafilou made a motion to adopt the recommended changes to the Personnel Policy; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

IX. OTHER BUSINESS

Ms. Poland updated the Board on the new phone system implementation and the upcoming public announcement. The Board will now fall under the County umbrella of 946 numbers. The new main number is 513-946-8500.

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

APPROVED: APRIL 8, 2025

CHAIR: ALEX LINSER

DIRECTOR: SHERRY L. POLAND