HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-10-02_Election Board Minutes_APPROVED 39
MINUTE BOOK
BOARD OF ELECTIONS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLANIA
IMR LIMITED E1316649LD
Washington County Board of Elections October 2, 2024
The Washington County Board of Elections met 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 Solicitor Gary Sweat, 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, Joe Jesek
from WJPA, Cara Sapida from WPXI, and residents Christina Proctor, Kevin Lee, and
Stephanie Rossi.
Mr. Sherman called the meeting to order at 10:00 am.
Mr. Sherman led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Ms. Janis moved to approve the minutes of the September 12, 2024 meeting.
Mr. Maggi seconded the motion.
Motion unanimously approved.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Resident Stephanie Rossi spoke on her support to not cure mail ballots with
disqualifying errors.
ELECTION DIRECTOR COMMENTS
We have received approximately 22,000 applications from voters requesting a
mail ballot.
The mail ballots will be sent beginning October 7, 2024
SOLICITOR COMMENTS
The Solicitor, Gary Sweat, spoke on mail ballots received with disqualifying errors and
the recent court decisions.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled in Democratic Party v. Boockvar each county
Board of Elections is to set the policy for the handling of absentee and mail-in ballots received
with disqualifying errors on the return envelope. However, Judge Neuman's decision, which as
affirmed by the Commonwealth Court has taken away our ability to set the policy for
Washington County.
Judge Neuman's decision:
The Washington County Board of Elections shall notify any elector
whose mail-in packet is segregated for a disqualifying error, so the
voter has an opportunity to challenge (not cure) the alleged defects.
The Washington County Board of Elections shall input the accurate
status of the mail-in packet in the SURE system and provide the status
to the elector, if requested.
40
MINUTE BOOK
BOARD OF ELECTIONS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLANIA
[MR LIMITED E1316649LD
An elector who requests a mail-in ballot and who is not shown
on the district register as having voted may vote by provisional ballot.
Because of these decisions I advise the Board of Elections to follow the order of the
Washington County Court of Common Pleas with respect to segregated mail-in packets for
disqualifying errors and input the accurate status of the mail-in packet in the SURE system.
Notification to the elector of the disqualifying error will be by the SURE generated
Department of State e-mail, if an e-mail address is not present on the elector's record a phone
will be made to the elector and documented by the Elections Office.
NEW BUSINESS
Ms. Janis moved to follow the advice of the Solicitor and follow the order of the
Washington County Court of Common Pleas with respect to segregated mail-in packets for
disqualifying errors and input the accurate status of the mail-in packet in the SURE system.
Notification to the elector of the disqualifying error will be by the SURE generated Department
of State e-mail, if an e-mail address is not present on the elector's record a phone will be made to
the elector and documented by the Elections Office.
Mr. Sherman seconded the motion.
Roll call vote was taken.
Mr. Sherman—yes; Ms. Janis—yes; Mr. Maggi—yes
Motion passed.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
A meeting in executive session of the Board of Elections occurred on Tuesday, October
1, 2024 at 11:00 am to discuss litigation.
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 10:08 am.
THE FOREGOING MINUTES WERE SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL:
.2Y , 2024
ATTEST:
CHIEF CLERK