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Director reports on legislation, equipment funding, BMD pickup, poll-worker training and capital projects
Summary
Director Miss Smalls briefed the board on election-related legislation, a possible state appropriation for voting systems, repossession of about 17 ballot-marking devices by the State Election Commission, poll-worker training signup totals, and capital projects including a standby generator and security upgrades.
Director Miss Smalls told the board on Feb. 26 that recent state activity includes several election-related bills the board has tracked and that the state budget discussion includes a one-time appropriation for statewide voting systems and recurring funds for annual election costs.
"It just says one-time money to the State Election Commission for statewide voting systems and upgrades and almost 4,000,000 for recurring money for annual election cost," Miss Smalls said, noting she will share weekly updates as the general assembly session proceeds.
Miss Smalls reported that the State Election Commission will retrieve about 17 ballot-marking devices (BMDs) the county had received; she said DS3 machines were not being taken by the SEC. On equipment planning, she said the SEC has surveyed interest in "curbside carts" and other BMD accessories and that counties were asked about demand before budget submission.
On staffing and outreach, the director reported poll-worker training sessions and signups: 28 registered for the March 12 session and 9 for March 22, with 57 total registered for classes noted in the meeting packet. She encouraged board members to recruit poll workers and described community forums last year (32 sessions) as a primary outreach and recruitment method.
On capital projects, Miss Smalls said the county obtained funding for a standby generator (procurement is with facility management), bids have been solicited and Frank Strongcheck is the project manager providing regular updates. She also reported that proposed 2026 capital items include ballistic-resistant windows, interior steel doors, camera system expansion, outside lighting and floor resurfacing.
What happens next: Miss Smalls will continue weekly legislative updates during the session; facility management will provide procurement updates on the generator and security projects; the county and state will coordinate on equipment transfers or budget approvals.
