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Elections office flags inspector shortages and early-voting venue challenge
Summary
Sheila Burt, Elections, told the committee June 1 that mailed check-card returns have declined and that the office faces inspector shortages in outlying areas. Burt said required evening and weekend hours plus Regents testing have made the planned Penn Yan Academy gymnasium unavailable for early voting.
Sheila Burt, Elections, told the Government Operations Committee that the office continues to see a decline in returned mailed check cards and is holding mailings as late as state rules allow for voters who winter elsewhere. Burt said "they have had a decrease over the years" in card returns and that staffing is a concern: a growing number of inspectors are unable to work, particularly in outlying parts of the county, requiring a staggered schedule to meet statutory requirements.
Burt also described a site-planning issue for early voting: Penn Yan Academy’s gymnasium is unavailable during Regents testing, and the school proposed using a foyer area that county staff judged unsuitable. The office will continue seeking alternate venues to satisfy the legal requirement to offer evening and weekend hours, including Juneteenth compliance.
