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Board presses for de-escalation training, emergency binders and clearer materials ahead of primary
Summary
Board members praised training but raised gaps: promised de-escalation training did not occur before the primary, some attendees did not hear ballot-counting instructions at sessions, and clerks confirmed emergency binders, weather radios and an emergency guide are included in inspector packets.
Members of the Monroe County Election Board on April 23 thanked staff for extensive training work but pressed for several operational clarifications ahead of the May primary.
A board member said they had expected de-escalation training for instructors but that it did not occur; the clerk and staff reported they had sought help from the sheriff's office but scheduling and compensation barriers prevented delivery before the primary. The board asked that efforts continue so de-escalation instruction may be available for the general election cycle.
The clerk confirmed each polling location binder includes a copy of the site's emergency-exit plan and shelter-in-place plan and that an "emergency guide" with step-by-step instructions and a prepared emergency kit (including weather radios) has been distributed to locations. Board members were invited to review those binders at the clerk's office.
Several attendees noted discrepancies between what they heard in some training sessions and what appears in the written training materials. On the topic of ballot counting, trainers said inspectors and judges are instructed to perform counts, to use stacks of 25 to simplify tracking, and that clerks can assist at larger locations. Some participants said they did not hear those instructions during a particular session despite the guidance being in the packet.
On accessibility, a board member asked whether the TouchWriter voting terminal has Spanish audio. The clerk said she has not yet confirmed with the vendor Hart and planned to contact the vendor for clarification.
Board members also discussed practical details: consolidating an information board for inspectors, reminding younger workers about a 50-foot no-campaigning radius that includes signs, and clarifying that greeters are used for early voting but not for polling-day sites.
The board ended the meeting by praising Ashley, the training lead, for preparing and updating packets; the clerk said Ashley has conducted about half of the planned classes and may add sessions as needed.
