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Board sets early‑voting window, public test date and presses need for more signature staff and poll‑worker training
Summary
The board set early voting to run April 7–May 4 (noon), confirmed a public test for April 6 at 08:30, and discussed clarified envelope‑signing procedures that will require two dedicated signature staff during early voting plus expanded poll‑worker recruitment and training.
The Elkhart County Election Board set early voting to begin Tuesday, April 7 and to end Monday, May 4 at noon, and confirmed a public test of equipment for Monday, April 6 at 08:30 a.m.
Chair (S1) reviewed a clarification from the Election Administrator's Handbook: the voter must sign the affidavit envelope in front of two authorized people (the d and the r) at the time of return rather than having clerks pre‑sign envelopes. The board concluded this procedure requires at least two dedicated signature staff at each early‑voting location (they can rotate), which raises staffing needs compared with past practice.
Patty (S3) said the vendor will deliver equipment late March and will be on site the week before early voting to test and touch each device; vendors will bring technicians to assist the board in verifying that printers and machines function properly. Patty and other members discussed poll‑worker shortages and inconsistent payout practices in prior years, noting stipends have been discussed in the meeting in the range of about $110–$150 (a stipend, not an hourly wage). Board members expressed concern that delayed or inconsistent pay deters volunteers.
Amy (S4) summarized historical training patterns: multiple sessions for facilitators and clerks (seven each) and three supervisor sessions held at a variety of times (9 a.m., 2 p.m., and 6 p.m.) to accommodate workers who have daytime jobs. Board members asked staff to confirm training schedules, increase recruitment, and ensure the signature‑station procedure is incorporated into poll‑worker training.
Why it matters: clarified envelope procedures change the staffing model for early voting and could increase wait times unless the county secures more trained workers; timely vendor testing and training sessions are needed to reduce equipment failures on election day.
Next steps: staff will schedule vendor testing the week of March 30–April 2, hold a public test April 6 at 08:30, finalize poll‑worker training sessions across multiple times, and work with party chairs and HR to recruit and confirm poll workers.
