Rochester, N.Y. — After problems with Primary Day voting a week ago, the pressure’s on to make the ballot count go smoothly at the Monroe County Board of Elections.
Last week’s election sparked criticism from candidates and some local political officeholders.
On Monday, the two commissioners said they want to gain back the trust of both voters and candidates by ensuring there are no conflicts of interest as they prepare to county a bevy of absentee ballots.
Lashana Boose and Lisa Nicholay spent Monday night putting the finishing touches on tables where nearly 80,000 crucial ballots will be counted.
“We have never done thi before,” Boose said. “The board has never seen this volume of ballots.”
After a controversial election in which several voters complained about receiving incorrect ballots, both say they are hoping to restore trust in not just how the votes are counted, but by whom.
“There will be a Republican and Democrat at each table,” Nicholay said.
And when the ballots pile up, they will be taken to a scanner manner by a bipartisan team.
13WHAM was first to report a treasurer for Democratic New York State Assembly candidate Ernest Flagler was also a board of elections employee expected to help with the ballot count. The commissioners say they were unaware when they heard the news last week.
“She is totally legally allowed to work on the board,” Nicholay said. “It’s not reflected on her at all but we did for appearances – and just to be open and transparent – that person is not going to be here tomorrow or the consequent days.”
The commissioners have no idea when the ballot count will be finished, but they want to take the time to ensure accuracy.
“It’s really to restore the confidence of the voters to know tat this process it something we both value,” Boose said. “It is sacred and we are here to ensure that every single vote is counted.”
The board has until July 6 to complete the tally. If they can’t make that deadline, they can ask for an extension from the state.
Results won’t be released until all local, special, and presidential ballots are counted.
— 13 WHAM