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State Board adopts clarification to remote participation policy, easing camera requirement for certain hearings
Summary
The State Board adopted an amendment to its electronic meeting policy clarifying that a camera-visibility requirement for remote participants does not apply to individuals appearing at the request of the board or to participants in formal hearings; board members cited due-process concerns and staff outlined identification procedures.
The State Board of Elections voted to adopt a clarifying amendment to its electronic meeting policy to differentiate general public comment from appearances tied to formal hearings and to exempt certain board-requested appearances or formal hearings from a blanket camera-visibility requirement.
A staff presenter said the amendment relocates and restates existing requirements and clarifies that the camera-visibility requirement for remote participants does not apply to individuals appearing at the request of the board or to those participating in formal public hearings. "This amendment does two things. It relocates and restates the existing requirements, including the camera visibility requirement. And second, it clarifies that those requirements do not apply to individuals appearing at the request of the board or participating in a formal public hearing," the staff member explained.
Board members raised concerns about how to identify remote participants who do not enable video and about due-process protections for people involved in formal hearings. Staff responded that identification can be handled through self-identification during setup and pre-meeting processes and that participants can be represented if necessary. A member noted the concern that someone defending against a penalty should not be prevented from participating because of a camera malfunction.
A board member moved to adopt the verifying amendment to SBE policy 26 (regarding remote participation), the motion was seconded and a roll-call vote recorded ayes from the members present; the amendment was adopted.
The amendment is intended to preserve access for participants in formal processes while retaining camera requirements for ordinary remote public comments where visibility aids identification.
