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Home / About The Board / Press Releases and Board Meeting Notices / June 17, 2021 Meeting Minutes

June 17, 2021 Meeting Minutes

June 17, 2021

June 17, 2021 Meeting Minutes

June 17, 2021

HCBOE Board Meeting Minutes 6-17-21

 

HAMILTON COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS

MEETING HELD

JUNE 17, 2021 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 Alex Linser; David Stevenson and Jesse Daley with the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s office. Due to Social Distancing and limited space in the Board Meeting Room, the meeting was live streamed for public viewing from the board’s website.

 

Chair McFarlin noted that Mr. Triantafilou has recused himself from today’s proceedings and is excused from today’s meeting.

 

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.

 

  1. HEARING: REGISTERED VOTER CHALLENGE a transcript of this proceeding is attached hereto for reference

 

Chuck Eckert, Registration Administrator, was sworn and presented the information to the Board regarding the Registered Voter challenge filed by Mr. Derrick D. Blassingame.  Said challenge was filed June 9, 2021.  The address provided for the challenged voter, Mr. McEwen, was 7832 Ridgepoint Drive, however Mr. McEwen is not now, nor has ever been, registered to vote at this address.  Mr. Eckert advised the Board that letters were mailed to the Ridgepoint address listed on the challenge; the address wherein Mr. McEwen is registered - 7382 Ridgepoint Dr. and 10935 Rice Field Place, Fairfax Station, VA.

 

Chair McFarlin indicated that Mr. Blassingame was present today.  Mr. Gerhardt asked for clarification from Mr. Stevenson regarding today’s proceedings.  Mr. Stevenson advised that the burden is on the challenger to demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that the registered voter does not reside at that address; that he is improperly registered.

 

Mr. Blassingame was sworn and provided testimony.

 

Mr. Curt Hartman was present on behalf of the challenged voter, Bob McEwen, and presented cross examination of Mr. Blassingame.

 

Mr. Gerhardt and Mr. Mallory each had questions for Mr. Blassingame.

 

Mr. Gerhardt made a motion to enter Executive Session to discuss a quasi-judicial matter; Mr. Mallory seconded.   Ms. McFarlin -aye; Mr. Gerhardt -aye. Mr. Mallory -aye.  Whereupon the Board entered Executive session at 9:42am.

 

Mr. Gerhardt made a motion to come out of Executive Session; Mr. Mallory seconded.  Ms. McFarlin -aye; Mr. Gerhardt -aye; Mr. Mallory -aye; Whereupon the Board returned to regular session at 9:53am.

 

Mr. Mallory made a motion to accept all exhibits submitted by Mr. Hartman and Mr. Derrick Blassingame, adding for the record that this includes the voter registration of Mr. Blassingame; Mr. Gerhardt seconded.  The motion passed unanimously whereupon Exhibits 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 were admitted into evidence and Exhibits A, B and C were admitted into evidence.

 

Mr. Mallory made a motion to deny the Registered Voter challenge made by Mr. Blassingame; Mr. Gerhardt seconded.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

Mr. Mallory made a motion to refer the matter of the voter registration of Mr. Derrick Blassingame to the Ohio Secretary of State and the Georgia Secretary of State; Mr. Gerhardt seconded.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

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:       JULY 13, 2021

 

CHAIR:               GWEN MCFARLIN

 

DIRECTOR:       SHERRY L. POLAND