HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-09-12_Election Board Minutes_APPROVED 37
MINUTE BOOK
BOARD OF ELECTIONS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLANIA
]MR LIMITED E1316649LD
Washington County Board of Elections September 12, 2024
The Washington County Board of Elections met in special session in the Crossroads
Center Conference Room, Room G-16, Washington, PA with the following members being
present: Chairman Nick Sherman, Electra S. Janis, and Larry Maggi. Also present were Assistant
Solicitor Sarah Scott, Chief of Staff Daryl Price, Elections Director Melanie Ostrander,
Executive Assistant Heather Wilhelm, Executive Assistant Casey Grealish, Executive Assistant
Randi Marodi, Chief Clerk Cindy Griffin, Public Affairs Director Pat Geho, Mike Jones from the
Observer Reporter, and residents Thomas Lonich, Ann Shaner, Sharon Laffey, Christina Proctor,
Bruce Bandel, and Charles Crouse.
Mr. Sherman called the meeting to order at 12:00 pm.
Mr. Maggi led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Ms. Janis moved to approve the minutes of the July 5, 2024 meeting.
Mr. Maggi seconded the motion.
Motion unanimously approved.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Resident Thomas Lonich spoke on the appeal by the Republican National Committee of
the decision by the Washington County Court of Common Pleas and the cost of this appeal.
Resident Ann Shaner spoke on the procedure to notify voters of an error on their mail
ballot envelope. An e-mail is not sufficient;the voters should be notified by a phone call and
letter. She is going to report at the next Board of Commissioners meeting on the age groups of
the mail ballots not counted from the 2024 Primary.
Resident Sharon Laffey spoke on why this ballot curing lawsuit is important. Mistakes
made by voters on their mail ballot return envelope are not fraud.
NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Maggi moved to allow ballot curing and to notify voters of their errors by e-mail,
phone, and letter.
Motion fails due to lack of a second.
The solicitor explained this motion violates Pennsylvania Sunshine Law because a ballot
curing decision was not advertised.
Mr. Sherman made the following announcement:
A meeting in executive session of the Board of Commissioners and the Board of
Elections occurred on August 22, 2024 to review various issues facing the County. During the
August 22 meeting the solicitor Gary Sweat reviewed the possible decision to be issued by Judge
Brandon Neuman in the lawsuit against the Board of Elections and discussed the County's
position in the litigation.
Mr. Sherman moved to confirm the decision of the Board of Elections to join in the
appeal of the RNC, so long as the Republican National Committee takes the lead and handles
any and all brief writing and oral argument associated with the litigation and the Commonwealth
Court decision. The County's position remains the same should the RNC appeal to the Supreme
Court of Pennsylvania.
38
MINUTE BOOK
BOARD OF ELECTIONS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLANIA
IMR LIMITED E1316649LD
Ms. Janis seconded the motion.
Discussion was held.
Roll call vote taken:
Mr. Sherman—yes; Ms. Janis—yes; Mr. Maggi—no
Motion passed.
The next Board of Elections meeting will be at a date and time to be announced later.
There being no further business, Chairman Sherman declared the meeting adjourned
at 12:15 pm.
THE FOREGOING MINUTES WERE SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL:
2024
ATTEST:
CHIlf, CL