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Election board seeks another staffer, ADA door openers and an exterior sign
Summary
The election board asked for a third part-time (or full-time) worker, two automatic ADA door openers at the early-voting entrance and a low-cost electronic sign to display election notices. Commissioners asked for bids and three estimates before committing to funding.
David Caldwell, chairman of the Meriwether County election board, presented the board's FY2026 requests and described staffing and accessibility concerns.
Caldwell said the elections office currently operates with two part-time staff who split weekdays; one of the part-time employees is in her late 60s and the office would like a third part-time employee to ensure coverage and continuity. Caldwell said the office would prefer to transition a part-time hire into a full-time employee when the right candidate is available.
The elections board also asked for two automatic ADA door openers for early-voting entrances; Caldwell estimated about $7,800 per unit based on initial quotes. The board asked staff to obtain three bids to compare options, including the higher-cost alternative of installing a full ADA ramp at the early-voting entrance.
Finally, the election board requested an electronic message sign for exterior use to post early-voting dates, candidate qualifying windows and community notices. Caldwell said he had a $25,000 example quote for a 4-by-8 LED sign and asked the county to consider smaller, lower-cost options.
Commissioners asked the elections office to supply written estimates and proposed specifications so procurement can get three bids for each project; they also advised that procurement rules require three bids for public projects.
