Board Meeting
Cuyahoga County Board of Elections
Elections
Thursday, July 25, 2024
9:30 a.m. — 11:30 a.m. EDT
2925 Euclid Ave Cleveland, OH 44115 (Directions)
Board of Elections office, (or watch on YouTube)
The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections conducts and supports elections, making decisions related to the operation of elections in the county. It consists of four voting members: two Democrats and two Republicans. The board certifies issues and candidates that appear on ballots, and it certifies election results. It also makes logistical decisions, such as how many voting booths and precinct scanners to allocate to polling locations.
Board members
- Henry Curtis, chair, Republican
- Inajo Davis Chappell, Democrat
- Lisa Stickan, Republican
- Terence McCafferty, Democrat
Other common, non-voting attendees
- Anthony Perlatti, board director
- Anthony Kaloger, deputy director
- Mark Musson, board legal advisor
Agenda: It should be available 24 hours before the meeting start time, at the Board of Elections website: https://www.boe.cuyahogacounty.gov/about-us/board-meeting-documents
NOTE: The audio of the livestream can be poor at times. In-person attendance may offer a better chance of hearing everything. If you’re watching remotely, do your best and feel free to note in your coverage if/when something is inaudible.
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Check the source website for additional information
Reporting
Edited and summarized by the Cleveland - OH Documenters Team
Note-taking by
Mildred Seward
Board addresses federal court ruling affecting voters with disabilities
Live reporting by
Emma Sedlak
Board officials discuss proactive measures for catching invalid voter registrations
Emma Sedlak
@eesedla
Good Morning! I’ll be live tweeting today’s Cuyahoga County Board of Elections meeting that was scheduled to begin at 9:30 AM. #CLEDocumenters
@cledocumenters
@signalcleveland
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@cledocumenters
@signalcleveland
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08:46 AM Jul 25, 2024 CDT
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland The meeting started at 9:38, with all board members present.
The board approved the minutes from their last meeting on June 11, 2024.
The board approved the minutes from their last meeting on June 11, 2024.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Director Anthony Perlatti introduced a few directives from the Secretary of State. Directive 2024-09 and 2024-10 include guidance and grant funding for implementation.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Directive 2024-09 awards about $109,000 for poll worker training and supplies.
Directive 2024-10 awards about $66,000 for election security. Perlatti noted that much of the guidance concerns cyber security.
Directive 2024-10 awards about $66,000 for election security. Perlatti noted that much of the guidance concerns cyber security.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland According to Perlatti, every even year, the Secretary of State mails every Ohio voter a vote-by-mail application. Directive 2024-14 gives guidance for education, so voters know the application is real.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Chappell asked about the recent federal ruling that struck down part of a 2023 Ohio election law that prohibited anyone but a few qualifying family members from helping people with disabilities deliver their ballots.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Chappell asked for an update on how the ruling will affect the administration of elections moving forward.
Board of Elections legal advisor Mark Musson responded that the Secretary of State has 30 days to evaluate the decision.
Board of Elections legal advisor Mark Musson responded that the Secretary of State has 30 days to evaluate the decision.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland The board approved all of the directives from the Secretary of State.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Next, Mike Dever, Cuyahoga County’s Director of Public Works, introduced a presentation about the new Board of Elections headquarters at 1801 Superior Avenue.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Perlatti noted that securing and moving forward with the new HQ has had many hurdles.
Dever added that they are “in a sprint” to meet the deadline in January when BOE will move into the space.
Dever added that they are “in a sprint” to meet the deadline in January when BOE will move into the space.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Dever introduced the work that has been completed on the building.
He added that they are not sharing the exact plans for the space with the public as there are some sensitive areas.
He added that they are not sharing the exact plans for the space with the public as there are some sensitive areas.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Dever said they are trying to complete all the build-out before the January deadline, so construction will be done by the time the BOE moves in.
They are leasing the building from Industrial Commercial Construction (ICP).
They are leasing the building from Industrial Commercial Construction (ICP).
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Chappell asked if they plan to finish the outdoor construction before the increased chance of snow.
Dever said the intent is to have the outdoor construction done, and they are constantly communicating about the progress of construction.
Dever said the intent is to have the outdoor construction done, and they are constantly communicating about the progress of construction.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Chappell asked whether the moving process will impact their ability to execute the November election.
Dever said they are trying to make the transition as seamless as possible. He added that it would be helpful if people start cleaning and organizing their things now.
Dever said they are trying to make the transition as seamless as possible. He added that it would be helpful if people start cleaning and organizing their things now.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Perlatti added that the moving will become a priority around Thanksgiving.
Dever said they are meeting with a contractor to develop a schedule for the move.
Dever said they are meeting with a contractor to develop a schedule for the move.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Chappell asked about the physical security requirements for the building and if the county will pay for them.
Dever said he’s pretty sure the county will pay for the building’s “state-of-the-art security.”
Dever said he’s pretty sure the county will pay for the building’s “state-of-the-art security.”
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Chappell asked for clarity to ensure the county’s commitment to paying for the security.
Dever apologized for not knowing the exact plan for paying for the security.
Dever apologized for not knowing the exact plan for paying for the security.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Perlatti emphasized that the BOE has enhanced standards for security.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Chappell said that they don’t want to be in a position down the road where they have to scale back or compromise something because they have to pay for the security. She added that it's not possible for them to scale back the administration of an election.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Lisa Stickan asked about signage and emphasized the importance of people being able to identify the building as the board of elections easily.
Dever said the signage has yet to come, but more discussions will occur.
Dever said the signage has yet to come, but more discussions will occur.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Chappell said parking and security are the main drivers of this move, so they must stay focused on these goals as they enter crunch time.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Terrence McCafferty asked where they are putting the voter drop box. Dever said they are working through the details but are confident it will be accessible and secure. He emphasized that it is a priority in the project.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Chappell asked if they have contingency planning if the project gets derailed. Dever said they need to be prepared, and in the worst-case scenario, the BOE will stay in their old building past January. They will keep the contingency plan as a point of discussion for tomorrow.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Perlatti and Stickan emphasized that the January move-in is critical, so they are prepared to process the February petition deadlines.
Dever said he will be back for the next board meeting to share another update.
Dever said he will be back for the next board meeting to share another update.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Next, the assistant manager of fiscal services introduced three resolutions.
R2024-07-25-0001C recommends a $57,000 two-year contract with Enhances Voting LLC for election night reporting.
R2024-07-25-0001C recommends a $57,000 two-year contract with Enhances Voting LLC for election night reporting.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Chappell and Perlatti noted that the software is more intuitive and has more to offer to the public to monitor election results.
The board approved the contract with Enhanced Voting LLC.
The board approved the contract with Enhanced Voting LLC.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland R2024-07-25-0002V pays ESSVR, LLC. $67,487.24 for the annual maintenance of the registration system.
R2024-07-25-0003V is for an outdoor generator through election season. It costs $28,634.50.
R2024-07-25-0003V is for an outdoor generator through election season. It costs $28,634.50.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Perlatti explained the importance of ensuring they have power through the election so they can meet all the deadlines.
The board approved both resolutions.
The board approved both resolutions.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Next, a registration manager introduced Dennis Culley’s challenges to the right to vote of ten voters.
All ten voters are registered at a vacant address where the Maple Care Nursing Home used to be.
These voters have not had any voting activity since 2017.
All ten voters are registered at a vacant address where the Maple Care Nursing Home used to be.
These voters have not had any voting activity since 2017.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland All of their registrations are set to be canceled in 2025, but Culley wants to move forward with a challenge to ensure that no one tries to vote by mail from the vacant address.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Culley joined the meeting over Zoom and noted that he is trying to make the registration database as accurate as possible.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Cully told the story of his mother, who he found out voted in an election while in an Alzheimer’s nursing home. He said he wants to ensure vulnerable populations aren’t being exploited.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Chappell asked if there is a way to receive notice about the closure of senior facilities so that they can be proactive about auditing voters.
Perlatti said they do not get notice—not all facilities work with the BOE for assistance in voting.
Perlatti said they do not get notice—not all facilities work with the BOE for assistance in voting.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Chappell asked if they could work with the Department of Health or the county to monitor this data.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Chairman Henry Curtis reviewed the list of challenged voters and asked if they or an attorney representing them were present.
With no one present to represent the voters, the board approved the challenges.
With no one present to represent the voters, the board approved the challenges.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Willie Jones III challenges the voter registration of Brian Wilkes and Samantha Williams. He owns the building they registered at and claims they have never lived at that address.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland The registration manager said they could not contact either voter, and the voters were registered during a registration drive run by Black Fork Strategies.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Lisa Stickan asked if Black Fork Strategies is the same group they’ve had registration issues with in the past. The registration manager shook his head yes. Stickan said that she is concerned about their repeated mistakes.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Stickan asked that they track the registrations by Black Fork to ensure that they are accurate and valid. Perlatti said that they do track registrations from Black Fork, but mistakes happen.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Perlatti added that they have worked with Black Fork, and they do a lot of good work registering voters.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Willie Jones III was not present.
Brian Wilkes and Samantha Williams were not present nor was any attorney representing them.
The board approved the challenge to their registration.
Brian Wilkes and Samantha Williams were not present nor was any attorney representing them.
The board approved the challenge to their registration.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland The board approved all personnel changes presented by Human Resources.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Next, the outreach manager, Mike West, introduced the Election Integrity Series. West noted that the first video in the series got coverage from the Plain Dealer and Channel 19 News.
He said that Channel 5 News wants to do a series of 2-minute videos to get out information.
He said that Channel 5 News wants to do a series of 2-minute videos to get out information.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland West introduced the website for the initiative
boe.cuyahogacounty.gov/voters/electio…
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland West presented the schedule for the topics to be covered
boe.cuyahogacounty.gov/docs/default-s…
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Perlatti said they are trying to make this information accessible by engaging with different platforms and offering information in Spanish. They are also trying to make it entertaining.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland West added that they are driving people to the information through social media.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Next, Perlatti noted that they have a timeline to meet all their deadlines. They will start printing ballots once they certify who will be on the ballot.
Military & Overseas Absentee Voting begins September 20.
Military & Overseas Absentee Voting begins September 20.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Perlatti said that they are pushing contracts for polling locations. Chappell asked if any polling locations said they won't do it. Perlatti noted that the notices just went out, so they have not heard anything yet.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland He noted they can only start vote-by-mail once they lock down polling locations.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland They have finished their edits to the poll worker training packet, secured training locations, and training starts in September.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Perlatti said they are meeting with the sheriff’s office and traffic commissioner for safety and security for early voting and election day.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland He noted they are also working with IT to ensure the website is ready for increased activity.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Perlatti also spoke about their long-term partnership with the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse as a polling location. He said the location is ideal because it offers more parking. He also said they are partnering with the Cleveland Cavaliers for National Voter Registration Day.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland With no request for public comment or executive session, the board adjourned at 11:43.
@cledocumenters @signalcleveland Have questions? Think we got something wrong? Send any inquiries on the meeting or these tweets to @cledocumenters. Or email us at cledocumenters@gmail.com
For more meeting coverage, check out
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Agency Information
Cuyahoga County Board of Elections
The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections exists to serve the citizens of Cuyahoga County by faithfully conducting the election process through which they choose their representatives.
During COVID, Cuyahoga County Board of Elections meetings are live streamed via this YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/CuyahogaCountyBOE/
A direct streaming link may be available in the meeting agenda. Board of Elections meeting agendas are available 24 hours before the meeting start time, at the Board of Elections website: http://www.boe.cuyahogacounty.gov/
Documents
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