Poll worker raises check-in and training issues; staff reports 342 provisional ballots, 41 emergency ballots

A poll worker delivered public comment to the Erie County Elections Board saying she was prevented from accessing notes on her phone and raising operational concerns from election day, including missing images in machine operator instructions, three poll workers who could not access online training, apparent nonpayment for online training and inconsistent 'assistance required' markings between the poll pad screen and the printed sign-in ticket.

"I'm officially complaining that I'm being unfairly treated, and I'm not able to make all the comments that I because I can't remember them," the poll worker said during public comment. The commenter also described a case in which the poll pad printed an incorrect polling location for a voter and said the printed ticket indicated the voter required assistance even though the pad screen did not.

Board members and staff exchanged brief clarifying comments during and after the public comment period. A staff member noted that the printed ticket can show assistance required, and another participant said that the on-site check that accompanies the ticket printing may not always display identically on the pad’s sign-in screen.

Elections staff later briefed the board on post-election processing numbers: the office will begin a final canvas the next morning and said it had 342 provisional ballots, 41 emergency ballots and 47 damaged ballots that were recreated. "Tomorrow morning, we're gonna start the final canvas. We have 342 provisional ballots," an elections staff member said.

Staff said they will start adjudication after the final canvas and that the website includes a breakdown by district and municipality showing registered voters and turnout; staff reported overall turnout at just above 44 percent. The board asked staff to provide the overall number of registered voters for Erie County at the canvass meeting; staff said party breakdowns are not available because this was not a primary.

The public commenter also reported 23 write-in votes for inspector in their district and suggested increased voter education about the role and time commitment required of poll workers to reduce casual write-in entries. Board members commended election office staff and poll workers for a generally smooth election despite isolated issues; staff said a full election report will be released after reconciliation of all data.