Monroe County election board approves minutes, readies mail ballots and searches for new polling site

The Monroe County Election Board approved minutes for its April 2 and May 20, 2025 meetings and heard an operational update from elections staff on preparations for the November election.

Elections staff member Sarah told the board that 11,576 permanent mail ballots are set to be sent and that the office is aiming to mail ballots the first week of October, contingent on certification from the Department of State. “As of right now, 11,576 will be sent out permanent,” Sarah said. “Most likely the first week in October. That's when I'm shooting for.” She added that the timing depends on when the department issues candidate certification, which the office typically receives in September.

Board members discussed the upcoming ballot layout and said there will be statewide retention questions and at least one local retention question for a judge identified in the meeting as Judge Mark. Sarah said she had not yet finalized the ballot layout because she is waiting for one party to submit a nomination for a summer vacancy; she said the office must load all candidate information into one system before creating the ballot print files.

The board was told Monroe County's registered voter rolls are roughly 115,000. Members also reviewed federal- and state-level funding for elections: board members discussed a Department of State grant reported during a prior meeting of about $598,000 that is allocated by the state based on population and registered-voter counts. Board members said the state grant is used for election-specific costs, including maintenance fees for voting equipment and payroll for poll workers on election day, and that the grant follows the state's fiscal schedule rather than the county's.

Board staff reported one polling place — identified as Stroud 7 at Opter Valley Church — is closing because the church is shutting. Sarah said the office is checking whether the local fire company will allow the site to be used and is searching for alternative locations if needed, noting prior issues when the site was run out of the fire hall.

Other routine items discussed included confirming that most polling-place assignments remain unchanged from the previous year and checking drop-box and library hours of operation for ballot return. A board member asked whether there had been changes to drop boxes or library pickup points; staff said they would verify hours and report updates as needed.

The board approved the meeting minutes by voice vote and concluded with a motion to adjourn.