Election Commission

ELECTION DEPARTMENT MEETING MINUTES Date and Time: Tuesday, August 9, 2022, 3:00 PM Place: City Hall, 15 Summer Street 2nd Floor Conference Room Attendees:  Dan Barbour  Frank Biedak  Jason Roomes  Carol Welch  Pamela Menconi  Jeanette Berrios The meeting was called to order at 3:00 PM. Commissioner Roomes made a motion to accept the minutes of June 28, 2022. So voted unanimously. COMMUNITY INPUT None NEW BUSINESS Early Voting The Director explained that the Early Voting in person will begin for a week beginning on August 27, and that hours are required to be held during standard business hours during the week. Taunton is required to hold an additional 4 hours each on Saturday and on Sunday, August 27 and 28, respectively, at a time to be determined by Commission vote. The Director proposed 9-1 for both weekend days, as was consistent with past years and to ensure staffing needs were met. Commissioner Welch made a motion to adopt the hours of 9-1 for Early Voting on both Saturday and Sunday. So voted unanimously. The Director then discussed that in the past, a police officer detail was always utilized for Early Voting in person. The VOTES Act has changed that process, requiring the Commission to vote to ask the City Council to vote to appoint a police officer detail during Early Voting. Commissioner Welch made a motion to request the use of a police detail for Early Voting. So voted unanimously. A small discussion ensued about the number of Early Voting by mail request have been received by the office to date. Office coverage for Election Day The Director explained that any Vote by Mail ballot that was returned to the office would need to be delivered to the polls for processing on Election Day. Due to the amount of ballots received, the Director was looking for additional staff to aid in delivering the ballots to the polling locations on Election Day. A small discussion ensued about the transparency of the process. The Director explained that the issue had been visited last November and she had written confirmation from the Secretary of State’s office that Commissioners are allowed to deliver ballots to the polling locations. Additional discussion included the reconciliation process and receipt system utilized when delivering ballots. Commissioner Biedak inquired if delivering of the ballots would compromise a Commissioner’s ability to participate in a Recount. The Director explained that she did pose that question to the Secretary of State and the answer was that it would not pose a problem. OLD BUSINESS Next Meeting date: September 13, 2022 Meeting adjourned at 3:14 pm Respectfully submitted, Carol Welch, Secretary