Charlotte County Electoral Board sets secure storage for early-voting ballots, formalizes Envelope 2A handling
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Summary
The Electoral Board voted Oct. 3 to store ballots removed from early‑voting machines at the Clerk of Courts until the risk‑limiting audit (RLA); it also adopted a procedure that only the Clerk of Courts will open sealed Envelope 2A and endorsed training and form-check measures for officers.
Chairman Glenn Baker called the Charlotte County Electoral Board to order at 1:11 p.m. on Oct. 3, 2024, and the board declared a quorum.
The board approved minutes for the Sept. 5 meeting on a motion by Vice Chairman Glenwood Foster and, without objection, approved the Sept. 17 logic-and-accuracy session record on a motion by Chairman Baker. Secretary Aubrey Fane later moved to adjourn; the motion carried.
Why it mattered: The meeting's most significant administrative decision directed secure chain-of-custody steps ahead of the county's risk-limiting audit (RLA). According to the registrar's written report, members agreed that ballots removed from early-voting machines will be transported to and stored at the Clerk of Courts office until they are needed for the RLA.
Registrar Jenni Booth presented the written registrar report and attached materials, including lists of selected general-election officers and training assignments. The board discussed training best practices and documentation: members supported beginning training online, using an overlay on the SDR form to make completeness checks easier for precinct chiefs, and emphasizing OOE training as a baseline.
On pay and reporting, the board noted that officers who earn $600 or more should receive W-2 forms for tax reporting purposes.
Accessibility and precinct logistics: Booth told the board that not all voting locations are fully ADA-compliant; sites that are not compliant are being relocated or corrected, and the Board of Supervisors has been advised. Precinct setup, delivery and pickup will follow usual dates and times with assistance from county workers.
Envelope 2A and chain-of-custody: Following guidance discussed at a South Central District meeting and a recommendation recorded by Vice Chairman Glenwood Foster, the board established a procedural rule that Electoral Board members will not open Envelope 2A. The board recorded that only the Clerk of Courts should open Envelope 2A and that envelopes should be sealed with evidence tape; the board voted to implement training and a formal procedure to ensure the completeness of Envelope 2A contents rather than opening them locally.
The meeting record shows no citizen comments. With no further EB member comments, the meeting adjourned on a motion by Secretary Aubrey Fane.
What comes next: The RLA-related storage procedure will be followed when ballots are removed from early-voting machines, and staff will proceed with the described training and form overlays to support precinct chiefs and county procedures.