Board of Elections warns county security plan could disrupt Government Center early voting
Summary
Board of Elections officials told the Government Services committee they were not consulted on a new county security plan and that the placement of a security scanner in the Government Center lobby may block use of the building as an early voting site unless the parties quickly resolve logistics.
Board of Elections representatives told the Sullivan County Government Services committee they learned only after a July 28 email that the county planned to place a security scanner in the Government Center lobby, and they said the change threatens the building's use as an early voting site.
"We find the lack of communication concerning and unacceptable. Sullivan County voters deserve better than to be treated as an afterthought of the county security plan," said the Board of Elections representative. The BOE noted the Government Center has been designated an early voting and election-day poll site since 2020 and that poll-site information was filed with the State Board of Elections on March 14, May 5 and confirmed July 23. The BOE said its DPW permit to use the lobby for the general election is currently on hold and requested a meeting with the county manager, DPW, the commissioner of public safety, the county attorney and legislative members "today or tomorrow" to find a mutually acceptable solution.
Chair acknowledged the concern and said he would speak with the manager; other committee members offered to meet immediately. The committee also noted practical election deadlines: the chair added that voter registration closes on Oct. 25 and early voting is scheduled Oct. 25–Nov. 2, and that the county urgently needs election inspectors for long shifts.
The committee did not make a formal decision during the meeting. Committee members said they will arrange the requested meeting and follow up with the Board of Elections to confirm whether the Government Center will remain an early voting site for the November election.
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