Oxford election board confirms sole certified candidate, outlines write‑in, absentee and provisional ballot rules

Chair Debbie Krolicki called the Election Board of Supervisors to order and confirmed that, as of the meeting, no nomination certificate challenging Katrina Greer — who the board certified at a prior meeting — had been received within the 30‑day statutory window. Krolicki said the board remains prepared to certify a write‑in if one files within the town’s timeline: “It’s considered a write in, but that person who writes in has to write in and declare because we have to certify that,” she said.

The board discussed scheduling and outreach if a challenger appears. Krolicki said she would contact the League of Women Voters to see if the organization could host a candidate forum, and the board agreed it would set a meeting to certify any late candidate within the charter’s deadlines. Members debated timing when deadlines fall on weekends and noted the charter requires filings to be received in the office by the deadline rather than accepted the next business day.

Staff detailed absentee‑ballot procedures and the paperwork voters will receive. Ashley, the town account clerk, walked members through the packet structure — a small inner envelope for the ballot, a middle envelope containing an oath, and an outside mailing envelope — and said packets are printed on demand after staff approve an application. She advised that the lobby drop box is acceptable only during business hours and that postage will be paid by the office if a voter requests mailing. “They will get the mama bear, papa bear, and baby bear envelopes,” Ashley said when describing the nested packet format.

The board reviewed who may pick up an absentee packet, ID and verification rules, and how staff log and track applications. Two board members will meet to review incoming absentee applications and to initial and sign packets as required. Krolicki emphasized turnout reporting rules: absentee ballots must be received by election day to be counted, not merely postmarked.

Provisional ballots and day‑of voting logistics were covered in detail. The board described circumstances for a provisional ballot (for example, a voter whose registration address differs from the record), the provisional judge role — who prepares the provisional form — and the process for the full board to decide acceptance during canvass at the end of the day. Ashley noted the camera will record from about 7:45 a.m. through the count, and staff explained the alphabetized check‑in flow, the no‑electioneering perimeter and candidate notification after results are posted.

Krolicki said she will coordinate with postal staff to retrieve any ballots delivered to the Easton Post Office on election day; two board members will pick those up close to closing time and bring them in for processing. The board set plans to meet in small teams to review absentee applications in the weeks before the election and to post final counts on the town kiosk and the elections webpage once tallies are confirmed.

A motion to adjourn was made and seconded near the close of the meeting; the available transcript records the motion and second but does not record a roll‑call vote in the captured segments.

The board left several scheduling items to email follow‑up: staff will circulate dates for absentee‑review sessions and notify members about any required certification meetings should a write‑in be filed. The meeting moved to adjournment afterward.