Latest news with #DaveBetras
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Debate continues over whether or not to move board of elections out of Youngstown
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – There are still no decisions on moving Mahoning County departments from one facility to another but that hasn't stopped people from lobbying county commissioners. For months, there's been a debate over whether or not to move the board of elections out of Oak Hill Renaissance Place and into the Patriot Building in Austintown. Opponents argue it would lead to fewer inner-city residents coming out to vote. Still, Elections Board Chairman Dave Betras insists the office and its voting equipment need to find a new home. 'All of us — the two Republicans and the two Democrats — that took an oath to preserve, and protect, and defend those votes and those voting machines, we are violative of that because that building is not working,' he said. 'The fact that this move has been proposed and being pushed by the board of elections without any public hearings or input from the residents of the county that it would affect the most is totally unfair,' said Pastor Ken Simon, with the Community Mobilization Coalition. Commissioners told the audience they are still considering their options and do not have a timeline in place to make their decision. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Chairman requests board of elections moves offices immediately
MAHONING CO, Ohio (WKBN) — The Chairman of the Mahoning County Board of Elections reiterated his request Monday to move the board's offices as soon as possible. Chairman Dave Betras laid out why he believes the Mahoning County Board of Elections should be moved out of Youngstown's Oakhill Renaissance Place immediately. 'We are out of compliance with the secretary of state for security protocol. Our machines are sitting on pallets with tarps on them and we're one election away from a disaster,' Betras said. In November, the Mahoning County Commissioners voted to buy the former Infocision building in Austintown for a possible new location for the Board of Elections. But the Commissioners say there must be a plan for the building before anyone moves in. 'And I'm not going to let the commissioners rest until we guard what is the most precious thing we could guard for anyone in this county and that's their vote,' Betras said. At Monday's meeting, the board would not certify two candidates and two liquor options for the May 6 primary ballot. Republican Tracy Randall will not be allowed to run for President of Youngstown City Council and Republican Robert Deagan will not be on the ballot for Struthers Second Ward Councilman. Also, the Gateway Gas Mart on Youngstown's Glenwood Avenue and The Party Shop & Greek Imports on 12th Street in Campbell will not have their liquor options on the ballot. 'We can't set the bar any lower to put things in front of the voters but there has to be some minimum requirements and they can't even fulfill the minimum requirements,' said Betras. The Administration of the Canfield Fairgrounds also wants all campaign signs on election days to be placed outside the exterior fence. However, state law allows signs anywhere beyond 100 feet of the front door — and if the fairgrounds will not allow for signs at 100 feet — a new polling place in Canfield may have to be found. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
