Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Board Elections Relocation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Youngstown residents urge Mahoning County commissioners to keep Board of Elections in the city
Summary
Multiple public commenters told commissioners the Board of Elections should remain in Youngstown, arguing a proposed move to Austin Township would harm voters with limited mobility and that a prior deal favors outside sites; commissioners said final placement rests with the elections board.
At the Mahoning County commissioners meeting on May 7, 2026, several Youngstown residents urged county officials and the board of elections to keep the elections office in Youngstown rather than move it to Austin Township.
Pastor Simon, speaking during the public-comment period, said residents worry the county has already decided to move the office despite earlier promises. "They're just stringing us along going through the motions of this circus when they've already made up their minds," he said, urging transparency and a commitment to the county seat.
Anita Davis, identified herself as president of Youngstown City Council and a Ward 6 representative, raised financial concerns about the Patriot ("bottom dollar") building and said the city had invested in downtown properties. Davis said the Patriot building had been given to the port authority, described a city investment of $1.2 million, and said a proposed lease of "$250,000 a year" would allow the city to recoup that cost in about six years. "If you can pay the port authority $250 a year, you can pay that to the citizens of Youngstown," she said, and she asked the commissioners to present details to Youngstown City Council.
Tracy Randall, who identified herself as a Youngstown resident and poll worker, told commissioners that moving the board outside the city would be a barrier for voters with mobility and transportation challenges. "There are people who are mobility challenged who are also challenged for transportation and I feel like that would be a detriment to putting the board of elections in another area outside the city," she said.
Commissioners did not adopt a formal position at the meeting; county officials said the board of elections would need to make formal proposals and that commissioners would act when proposals are before them. Commenters asked the county to involve Youngstown City Council publicly and to prioritize voter access and transparency.
The public comment period ended without a final decision; the commissioners' next regular meeting was set for Thursday, May 14 at 10 a.m.
