Skip to Main Content
U.S. Flag

An official County Government website.

SSL

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures you're connecting to the official website and any information you provide is encrypted and cannot be seen by anyone else.

Dot gov

The .gov means it's official
Many state and federal websites end in .gov, a domain only used by government entities in the U.S.

Home / About The Board / Press Releases and Board Meeting Notices / February 17, 2026 Board Meeting Minutes

February 17, 2026 Board Meeting Minutes

February 17, 2026

February 17, 2026 Board Meeting Minutes

February 17, 2026

HAMILTON COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS
MEETING HELD
FEBRUARY 17, 2026 AT 8:30AM

The meeting of the Hamilton County Board of Elections was called to order at 8:30am. Present were members Mr. Linser, Mr. Triantafilou, Mr. Gerhardt and Mr. Mallory. Also present: Director Sherry Poland and Deputy Director Raquel Burgos and Dave Stevenson, Pat Dressing and Linda Smith 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 13, 2026

Mr. Triantafilou made a motion to approve the Board Meeting Minutes for January 13, 2026; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

II. CERTIFICATION: MAY 5, 2026 PRIMARY ELECTION PARTISAN CANDIDATE PETITIONS

Two lists were reviewed by the Board. Ms. Poland advised that these lists represent candidates that filed, with the exception of Party Central Committee candidates, which will be a separate agenda item.
1. May 2026 Primary Election Candidates List- Sufficient
List of Candidates for whom Staff recommend certification.
Mr. Triantafilou made a motion to certify this list of candidates to the ballot; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
2. May 2026 Primary Election Candidates List – Insufficient
List of 3 Candidates for whom Staff has found their part petitions did not contain enough valid signatures.
Mr. Triantafilou made a motion to reject these part petitions; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

III. CERTIFICATION: MAY 5, 2026 PRIMARY ELECTION REPUBLICAN COUNTY CENTRAL COMMITTEE PETITIONS

1. 2026 Hamilton County Republican Central Committee Candidates List: Filed-Sufficient
List of Candidates for whom Staff recommend certification.
Mr. Triantafilou made a motion to certify the list of candidates to the ballot; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

2. 2026 Hamilton County Republican Central Committee Candidates List: Filed- Insufficient
List of 9 Candidates for whom Staff has found petitions to be insufficient for reasons as set forth on the list. The Board was advised that #6 and #7 have withdrawn their petitions leaving 7 Candidates remaining.
Mr. Triantafilou made a motion to reject the remaining 7 Candidates on the list; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

3. 2026 Hamilton County Republican Central Committee List: Filed – Board Review
List of 20 Candidates for whom additional review by the Board is required.
Mr. Triantafilou made a motion to certify the list of 20 candidates to the ballot; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

IV. CERTIFICATION: MAY 5, 2026 PRIMARY ELECTION DEMOCRATIC COUNTY CENTRAL COMMITTEE DECLARATION OF CANDIDACY FORMS

1. Sufficient List: List of 533 Candidates for whom Staff recommend certification.
Mr. Triantafilou made a motion to certify the list to the ballot; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

2. 2026 Hamilton County Democratic Central Committee Candidate List: Filed- Insufficient
List of 22 Candidates for whom Staff found Declaration of Candidacy Forms to be insufficient. It was noted that #2 on the list withdrew their Declaration of Candidacy.
Mr. Triantafilou made a motion to reject the remaining 21 Candidates on the list; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

3. 2026 Hamilton County Democratic Central Committee Candidate List: Filed- Board Review
List of 34 Candidates for whom additional review by the Board is required. The Board reviewed each candidate Declaration and voted as follows as numbered on the list:
#1: Mr. Linser made a motion to certify this candidate to the ballot; Mr. Triantafilou seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
#2: Mr. Linser made a motion to reject this candidate; Mr. Triantafilou seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
#3, #4; #6 through #20 (note candidate #5 withdrew): Mr. Triantafilou made a motion to certify these candidates to the ballot; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
#21 through #24; #26, #27; #29 #30, #32 & #34: Mr. Triantafilou made a motion to certify the candidates to the ballot; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously. It was noted that #25 is omitted from the list and candidate #28, #31 and #33 withdrew their Declarations.

V. CERTIFICATION: MAY 5, 2025 PRIMARY ELECTION LIBERTARIAN COUNTY CENTRAL COMMITTEE DECLARATION OF CANDIDACY FORMS

Mr. Triantafilou made a motion to certify this candidate to the ballot; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously

VI. CERTIFICATION: MAY 5, 2026 PRIMARY ELECTION QUESTIONS AND ISSUES

The Board reviewed the list: Questions and Issues filed May 5, 2026; Staff recommends certification to the ballot.
Mr. Triantafilou made a motion to certify the list of Questions and Issues to the ballot: Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

VII. APPROVE: MAY 5, 2026 PRIMARY ELECTION BALLOT AND PROVISIONAL ENVELOPE QUANTITES

Mr. Triantafilou made a motion to approve the Primary Election Ballot and Provisional Envelope Quantities: Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

VIII. APPROVE: MAY 5, 2026 PRIMARY ELECTION EQUIPMENT ALLOCATION

Mr. Triantafilou made a motion to approve the Primary Election Equipment Allocation; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

IX. APPROVE: MAY 5 2026 PRIMARY ELECTION ABSENTEE PROCESSING PLAN
The Board was advised of the Primary Election Processing Plan which outlines the plan including relevant dates and processes. The Secretary of State requires the Board to approve the plan.
Mr. Triantafilou made a motion to approve the plan; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

X.RESOLUTION: AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF FY24 URBAN AREA SECURITY INITIATIVE (26-001)

Ms. Poland reported to the Board that this Resolution authorizes execution of the agreement for additional funding for Election Security through a Federal Homeland Security Grant.
Mr. Triantafilou made a motion to adopt this Resolution; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

XI. APPROVE: MULTI-PRECINCT POLLING LOCATION PRECINCT ELECTION OFFICIAL ASSIGNMENT POLICY

The Board was advised of the policy to be implemented for appointment of Precinct Election Officials in Mult-Precinct Polling locations.
Mr. Triantafilou made a motion to approve the policy; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

XII. PERSONNEL MATTER: SALARY ADJUSTMENT

Staff is recommending a 3% cost of living adjustment for all full-time staff, retroactive to the 1st pay period of 2026.
Mr. Triantafilou made a motion to approve the salary adjustment; Mr. Mallory seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

XIII. OTHER BUSINESS

Catherine Collett addressed the Board seeking clarification of some of the items addressed by the Board during the meeting.

Debbie Hackett addressed the Board seeking clarification of some of the items addressed by the Board during the meeting.

Ms. Poland requested the Board observe a moment of silence in honor of Board Staff CIO Bill McJoynt who recently passed. Each of the Board members spoke fondly of Bill, recalling their time and interactions with him.

There being no further business to come before the Board, the Board stood adjourned.

APPROVED: MARCH 5, 2026

CHAIR: ALEX LINSER

DIRECTOR: SHERRY L. POLAND