Mahoning County commissioners hear plea to move election machines from makeshift storage, agree to hazard study

David Eaters, a Mahoning County resident, told the Board of Commissioners on Jan. 16 that the county’s Board of Elections needs a new facility because voting machines are being stored in inadequate conditions. “We literally have our voting machines on pallets covered by plastic sheets in a building that is not suitable for us anymore,” Eaters said, adding that Revised Code 3501.06 requires adequate rooms and offices for elections staff and records.

The comment prompted follow-up from county staff and commissioners. Alan (last name not specified), a county staff member who reviewed the storage, said, “From what I’m aware, there’s no damage being done to the machines as of yet,” and that he had promised to conduct a study “looking specifically what the hazards on the floors above those voting machines are so that we can know exactly what potential there is.” The study, staff said, will assess risks such as water leaks and identify mitigation options.

Why it matters: Commenters warned that a significant equipment loss shortly before an election would pose severe logistical and security challenges. Eaters told commissioners they face “one election, one disaster away from our machines being crushed under,” and urged prompt action to secure facilities.

Commissioners used the public comment to broaden the discussion beyond storage. Several commissioners said they did not want the county to rush into remodeling or occupying the Patriot building without a countywide facilities plan for administration and services. A county official told the board there is currently no sale planned for the Patriot building, and commissioners repeatedly emphasized the need for a feasibility study and cost estimate before committing taxpayer funds to large renovations.

The meeting record shows commissioners asking for more information rather than taking immediate formal action on the Board of Elections’ storage needs. The staff study will report potential hazards and mitigation measures; the timeline for the study was described as forthcoming but no specific deadline was set during the Jan. 16 meeting.

The conversation also touched on continuity and security concerns: Eaters said that if machines were lost or damaged near an election, the county might have to revert to paper ballots and extended chain-of-custody measures that would complicate administration and security. Staff and commissioners said they would try to present options that balance safety, cost and long-term facility planning.

Ending: County staff committed to producing the requested hazard assessment about the storage locations used by the Board of Elections. Commissioners said they want a countywide facilities plan before large renovations or reassignments of county buildings are finalized.