Monroe County sets May 19 vote-center hearing, adopts digital public-comment process

The Monroe County Election Board scheduled its second public hearing on a proposed shift to vote centers for 5:30 p.m. on May 19 in the courthouse and approved a digital method for receiving public comment ahead of that hearing.

The board, meeting April 3 in the Nate Hall Courtroom, agreed to collect public comment through a Microsoft form (accessible via a QR code) and by written submissions delivered to Election Central. The board voted in favor of that approach during the meeting; the motion to accept the digital form and written submissions passed with members saying “aye.”

Why it matters: County law requires a public comment window before adopting a change to polling procedures; the board is gathering input to inform a final plan it will forward to the county council and the state. Board members and staff said the digital form will simplify tallying and produce aggregated results for the board to review.

Elections staff said the Microsoft form will ask whether a respondent supports switching to vote centers, how they would vote on election day, and allow optional comments and contact information. Staff also supplied a paper half-sheet with a QR code linking to the draft form for distribution at community sites.

“We put together a simple form so everything goes into one place and will show you graphs and comments,” said Kylie, election staff, explaining how the form collects and aggregates responses.

Board members discussed holding an evening meeting for the eventual vote to maximize public attendance. The board considered whether to hold the final, voting meeting on the regular June 5 meeting or to schedule a special evening meeting; members favored a special meeting and set the tentative date for May 19 at 5:30 p.m. to ensure the 30-day statutory comment period is satisfied.

Staff also proposed sending a postcard with a QR code to all registered voters to notify them how to submit comment. Board members debated the cost. Elections staff said a vendor quote was being sought; one board member noted $15,000 is currently budgeted in the election fund but urged prudence.

“We could negotiate a deal with our vendor, but I’d like to see a quote before we spend money,” said a board member.

Molly, elections staff, said a postcard approach had worked for other departments and could include a QR code linking directly to the form; she also recommended a nondigital option—allowing written comments to be delivered to the election office for residents who cannot use the online form.

The board also agreed the public hearing schedule: an initial public hearing will be held Monday, April 7 at 5 p.m. in the same courtroom, followed by the comment window and the second hearing on May 19 at 5:30 p.m. The clerk’s office will attempt to place a related resolution on the County Council agenda; staff said council action must be completed before the plan is filed with the state.