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Charlotte County electoral board reviews polling-place moves, new firearms restriction and staffing questions
Summary
At its July 15 meeting the Charlotte County Electoral Board discussed polling-place relocations, implementation of a new law banning firearms within 40 feet of polling places, outreach to Officers of Election, budget oversight and a public question about extending the interim registrar’s term.
The Charlotte County Electoral Board met July 15 at the County Administration Building and discussed several election-administration items, including planned polling-place relocations, a new legal restriction on firearms near polling sites and staffing and budget matters.
The registrar reported plans to send letters to potential Officers of Election after August, with assignments beginning in September, and said inquiries will ask whether officers are willing to work full or half days. The registrar also said Officers of Election have been paid and that the board will take a more active role with its budget; the Secretary asked for monthly budget updates and the registrar recommended obtaining budget materials from the Financial Director before meetings.
The registrar told the board of a new law prohibiting firearms within 40 feet of a polling place and said staff will advise all precinct voting locations of the change. Board members also discussed identifying alternate polling locations for each precinct in case a primary site becomes unusable in an emergency. The board noted two specific location items: discussion of a new site for the Saxe/Bacon polling place for 2022, and a planned move of the Drakes Branch polling place to the new firehouse.
On HAVA compliance, the registrar said the Building Inspector had not responded to requests to inspect polling places; the Secretary volunteered to contact the inspector to arrange necessary inspections.
In old business the board discussed purchasing a computer for the Secretary; the registrar said funds were not currently available and that, when funds permit, the Secretary will also need a printer and scanner.
Under new business members discussed a text the Chairman sent to the Secretary indicating an Electoral Board meeting might need to be postponed after a Democratic Party meeting; the board considered what might have prompted the message. The board also discussed a reported threat or mention of legal action intended to influence the board’s vote; the Secretary said he is looking into the legality of that matter.
During public comment, Kurtis Jones questioned the process for extending the interim registrar’s term to June 2023 and asked whether correspondence with the County Attorney had been followed up on. The Chairman raised the possibility of going into closed session for the registrar’s performance evaluation, but no motion or vote to enter closed session was made; the Secretary said he would submit his evaluation individually. The meeting was then adjourned.
Minutes from prior meetings (April 7, April 15, April 22, May 3, May 12, June 3, June 24 and July 1) were approved; minutes of the canvass on June 9 and June 11 remained pending approval.
