Electoral Board

Hampton Electoral Board Meeting December 6, 2023 10:00 a.m., Registrar’s Office Present: Tom Harmon, Tara Morgan, Matt Scott, Rebecca Winn Guests: Carl, Jim, Sheryl, Debbie, Carolyn, Carmen Called to order 10:25 a.m. by Tom Harmon, acting Chairman Incident Reports from last month’s election were discussed. Machen – Precinct Chief Carmen was in attendance today. Her report had been emailed to Registrar and was discussed. There were recommendations concerning the opening of the scanner, as there are times that the machine doesn’t open on it’s own at the start of the day. Cones were requested for Election Days to come to reinforce the 40-foot line to limit campaigners. Aberdeen – There were machine jams during the recent Election Day. East Hampton – The seal on the scanner, at the start of the day, was loose. Therefore the machine was changed out, to guarantee that it was not tampered with. Then the replacement was replaced due to a multiplicity of jams. Jones – Access to outlets was difficult. Parking was difficult at times as a teacher event was held in the middle of the day by the Fine Arts Department. More signage is needed to demand that non-voters not park in the lot used by voters. Also, water needs to be provided for the bases of the new plastic signs so they don’t tip over or blow away. Patrick – More “Vote” signs are needed. Forrest – An overbearing campaigner was addressed by EB Secretary during Election Day. A voter was highly offended though the campaigner’s Free Speech rights were acknowledged. Krafft – Poll Books were having difficulty getting synched with one another. At the end of the day all the numbers were aligned (EPB, scanner, and ballots). Bethel – A voter fell and was injured. Three ballot packages were a ballot short (99 instead of 100).  06 December 2023 EB Meeting, Page 2 Phillips – A voter fell and was injured. A request for repairs to the sidewalk was sent to the schools maintenance department. Syms – the electrical outlet behind a cabinet was not working. Jackson – Scott Wells, Assistant Chief, made a report concerning their day. Concern was expressed regarding the metal detectors at the entrance to the school. A voter was upset that they might be “on”, or that they might have an adverse effect on a Pace-maker. The detectors appeared to be off. It was suggested that voters could do curbside voting if they had these concerns in the future. Early Voting precinct - Cooper, Thomas, Phenix, Phoebus, Hampton Library, Smith, Kecoughtan, Asbury, and Langley, had no report or addressed details that they themselves handled on Election Day. Chairman Rebecca Winn took leadership of the meeting at 12:16 p.m. Meeting was at ease from 12:16 – 12:25 There needs to be further conversation with school administrators about not having Parent-Teacher conferences and in-service days at the schools on Election Days. Tyler, from ESS, will be with us in January to assist with the programming and testing of the scanners. It was suggested that we review our SOR to make sure it contained the information the Board feels is essential. Carl Anderson shared the progress he has made concerning the possible realignment of some precincts. He has met with others to get input and potential buy-in. Our next meeting is Wednesday, January 10, 2024, 10:00 a.m. at the Voter Registrar’s Office. Meeting was adjourned at 1:43 p.m. Sincerely Submitted, Matt Scott, Secretary Hampton Electoral Board