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Elections office reports registration totals, equipment testing and 48 poll-worker vacancies ahead of primary
Summary
Elections staff told the board that Erie County has 174,894 registered voters, completed logic-and-accuracy testing on voting equipment, and is seeking a court appointment April 27 to fill about 48 poll-worker vacancies; staff urged voters not to be concerned about imminent election-law changes.
Elections staff reported that Erie County has a final voter-registration total of 174,894 and that the county’s primary ballot has been reviewed by the Department of State and cleared for form and accuracy. Staff also said they completed logic-and-accuracy testing on Dominion/Liberty Vote equipment and certified those results to the state.
The elections official urged voters not to be alarmed by recent news about executive orders affecting elections: "I just really wanna give the public and the board of elections confidence that nothing is going to be changing between now and the primary," the official said, adding that usual ID rules remain in force and additional documents such as birth certificates are not required unless a voter is voting for the first time at a new location.
Staff said 67 student poll workers have signed up to help on election day and that the office will offer demo sessions of ADA-accessible voting equipment to help voters practice. The office also confirmed free 10-minute courthouse parking for voters who use the drop box to return mail ballots.
On staffing, the office secured a hearing before a judge on April 27 to request the appointment of roughly 48 officers (judges of elections, inspectors) to fill vacancies that the office cannot otherwise fill; staff prepared materials to demonstrate party balance and residency for judicial review and will post notice of the hearing in each district as required by statute. Separately, staff updated the board on an ongoing lawsuit (identified in the meeting as the Election Truth Alliance case), saying filings have slowed and a decision on pending motions is expected in about one to two months.
Board members thanked staff for preparation and reiterated that state law governs election procedures; they encouraged voters concerned about mail delivery to use the courthouse drop box.
The board moved later in the meeting to approve ballot certification and proceeded with several polling-place changes; staff said they will carry out required notices and outreach before the primary.
