Elections staff review challenge process, flag inconsistent state memos on same‑day registration
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Summary
Devon reviewed board‑initiated challenge procedures for absentee and early ballots, including filing deadlines and notification requirements. Staff warned that some numbered memos contain contradictory guidance on same‑day registration verification and said they will seek updated direction from the State Board of Elections.
Devon, speaking for county elections staff, briefed the board on the process and timeline for board‑initiated ballot challenges for absentee and early votes.
Devon said the deadline to enter a challenge is 5 p.m. on the fifth business day after Election Day and described staff steps for notifying voters (overnight first‑class mail and phone/email where appropriate). He noted that challenges must be heard at canvass and that manual edits to the election management system often must be completed before canvass to produce accurate tallies.
Staff emphasized that challenge hearings and manual edits can be time‑consuming. Devon said manual edits last year required staff to work overnight and into the next day to complete adjustments and to restore ballots if a voter successfully demonstrated eligibility.
Board members and staff discussed apparent contradictions between numbered memos (the transcript references 2022‑05 and a 2023 revision). Devon recommended seeking updated guidance from the State Board of Elections to resolve conflicts about when to initiate cure processes for same‑day registration verifications.
No board action was required on challenges at the Nov. 6 meeting; staff said they would notify the board if any board‑initiated challenges are filed before the scheduled canvass.