Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Comment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents press commissioners on veterans' service officer vacancy and local election errors
Summary
Multiple residents voiced concern May 19 about the county's veteran service officer vacancy and about apparent voting errors; commissioners said the VSO position will be refilled at the June meeting and described an election-board investigation that found 17 misassigned ballots due to worker error.
Residents used the public-comment period at the May 19 Fayette County commissioners meeting to press officials about the veteran service officer (VSO) position and to raise questions about recent local election errors.
James Thomas asked for an update after hearing the VSO had been terminated. The chair said the VSO position will be refilled and that the appointment will be made at the board's first June meeting, but cited personnel confidentiality and declined to provide details about the termination. "It's it will be refilled," the chair said.
Resident Jeremy described confusion with state listings and ballots for township offices and said many residents reported voting problems; he asked why the state did not list his wife as an incumbent and urged the county to investigate discrepancies. Residents alleged more ballots were affected than the 17 the county had reported.
The chair and other commissioners responded that an internal investigation found human error by an election worker resulted in approximately 17 misassigned ballots; they said the board is not the primary authority for election administration and recommended those with complaints follow the election board and clerk processes. The chair said the misassignment did not change election outcomes.
Commissioners assured residents the VSO duties will be fulfilled and encouraged formal written complaints where appropriate so the issue is on record.
