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Madison County Board of Elections approves early absentee-ballot counting resolution and storage lease
Summary
At its Aug. 21 meeting in Marshall, the Madison County Board of Elections unanimously approved a lease for a Laurel storage room and a resolution to allow early counting of absentee ballots on Election Day as part of preparations for the 2024 General Election.
The Madison County Board of Elections met Aug. 21, 2024, at Suite E, Room 16 in Marshall and voted unanimously to approve a lease for a Laurel storage room and a resolution enabling early counting of absentee ballots on Election Day.
The meeting opened at 3:00 p.m. with Chair Jerry Wallin presiding. After the agenda passed on a motion by Secretary Dyatt Smathers, seconded by Ray Lewis, the board approved the July 17, 2024 meeting minutes by the same vote configuration (5-0).
Director Jacob Ray updated the board on preparations for the 2024 General Election and recapped his attendance at the State Board of Elections Summer Conference. Members Brian Ball and Dyatt Smathers briefly reported on takeaways from the conference; Smathers also noted his participation as a panelist for the "Trusted Elections Tour" event in Weaverville.
On new business, Director Ray presented a lease agreement for the Laurel storage room. Chair Wallin moved to approve the lease; Secretary Smathers seconded. The motion passed unanimously (yes: Wallin, Smathers, Ball, Lewis, Ponder).
The board then considered a written resolution titled the "2024 General Election Resolution to Count Absentee Ballots Early on Election Day and establish the Absentee Ballot Meeting Schedule." Secretary Smathers moved to adopt the resolution, and Chair Wallin seconded. The board approved the resolution by a 5-0 vote. The resolution establishes the schedule and authority for counting absentee ballots early on Election Day; the meeting record does not specify the exact meeting dates or times included in that schedule.
During public comment, Cheryl Willaims described her experience attending the "Trusted Elections Tour" event. Board members and staff engaged in a question-and-answer exchange focused on absentee balloting procedures.
Chair Wallin moved and Secretary Smathers seconded to adjourn the meeting at 4:00 p.m.; the motion passed unanimously. The board announced its next regularly scheduled meeting for Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, at 3:00 p.m.
This account is based on the board's meeting minutes provided for Aug. 21, 2024.
