Elections office reports voter totals, staff changes and absentee activity

Elections Director Jennifer reported that as of September the office had 80,301 registered voters: 72,314 active and 7,987 inactive. The office added 175 new voters in September and recorded 232 cancellations: 32 moved out of state, 44 cancellations submitted to Jarvis, 3 cancelled by other requests, 62 deceased and 91 removed for felony status.

Jennifer said the office had processed 85 absentee ballots so far on the meeting day and had received two open-records requests. She reported that state compliance reviews (SCB cases) resulted in letters of instruction for most cases, with one case (23-79) receiving a letter of reprimand.

Staffing changes were reported: Lisa Wheeler’s last day was Sept. 26 and an interim administrative assistant, Melissa, is serving while the department recruits a permanent administrative assistant. The office has posted the elections director position and applications were being accepted with a one-week remaining deadline at the time of the meeting.

Jennifer also announced the election schedule: a pre-certification meeting on Nov. 7 at 3:00 p.m. and a certification meeting on Nov. 7 at 5:30 p.m., both at 2555 Lexington Road. The board was reminded that a vote-review panel must be appointed for the election and that party and judicial appointees would be named; one board member agreed to represent the board on the panel during the meeting.

No formal votes were required for the director’s report items; items in the report will lead to subsequent staff actions (posting, hiring and administrative follow-up).