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Poll workers say primary voting had chain-of-custody lapses, registration errors; ask board for debrief
Summary
Three poll workers told the Navajo County Board of Supervisors they observed multiple problems during the primary election—missing chain-of-custody for a ballot drop box pickup, programming media left in a voting machine, poll-pad registration and birthdate errors, and many voters incorrectly told they had already voted—and asked for a formal debriefing with election officials.
Three poll workers spoke during the board's Call to the Public on Aug. 13 and asked the county to hold a debriefing with election officials after reporting multiple problems they observed during the primary election.
Donna Sherwin, a poll worker from Pinetop, asked the board for an agenda item or debrief with the county manager and election officials, saying she saw "several things that did not run very smoothly" and reported that a ballot drop box in White River was "picked up by a helper from the elections office in Holbrook without any chain of custody." Sherwin said there were no cameras on the box as had been promised and urged the board to hear both sides of the story.
Belinda Sholow, a poll worker at the Pinion voting location, said she and a marshal found "an election programming ZIP drive left in one of the express voting machines," that an inspector pocketed the drive, and that loudspeaker audio exceeded the 75-foot zone. She listed additional concerns including voters being told they had already voted, poll-pad data showing incorrect birth dates or old addresses, and reports that provisional ballots were told they would not be counted. "We have witnesses to all of the above," she said and said she would notarize her written statement for the board.
A third poll worker who identified herself as Linda, assigned to a small polling place in Sibiqu, said the poll had only four workers and no prior coordination with hired staff, that much conversation on site occurred in a native language and left some workers feeling excluded, and that there was no internet service at her location. She asked why the county would not install cameras given the county's investment and said the absence of cameras undermines confidence that "every vote counted."
By law the board did not engage in debate during Call to the Public; the chair acknowledged the comments and said the board would give them consideration and that staff follow-up could be requested as allowed under state statute.
Why it matters: Poll-worker reports of procedural lapses in remote locations raise questions about training, equipment handling and chain-of-custody practices in a county with significant remote precincts and limited connectivity. The speakers requested a formal debrief so officials can review and respond.
What happens next: Poll workers asked for a debriefing session with the county manager and election staff; the board said it would consider the comments and may direct staff to follow up under the limits of state law.
