Several residents and community leaders used the public-comment portion of the Mahoning County Board of Commissioners meeting on June 26 to oppose any relocation of the Mahoning County Board of Elections out of the county seat of Youngstown.

A public commenter who identified himself as Dave cited a directive from Secretary of State Frank LaRose dated May 29, 2025, and read a list of security and storage requirements he said the directive mandates, including that voting equipment be kept in a "properly secured clean and climate controlled area," that access be limited to few bipartisan staff, that storage areas have monitored alarmed smoke detection and fire-suppression equipment, and that equipment "must be stored properly." He also said boards must contact manufacturers for equipment manuals and routinely inspect and clean storage areas.

Pastor Kenneth Simon said the speakers' objective was not to insist the elections office remain in a particular building but to ensure the Board of Elections remains in Youngstown, the county seat, to preserve access for city residents. "Our case is leave the thing in Youngstown, access for the citizens of Youngstown to, exercise their right to go," he said, and argued that moving the office would impose barriers on people of color, the elderly and low-income residents who rely on limited public transportation. Another speaker, identified as Deacon Brook, echoed calls for public hearings, transparency and investment in voter outreach and transportation before any relocation is considered.

All remarks occurred during the public-comment portion of the meeting; commissioners did not take formal action on the location of the Board of Elections during the June 26 session.