Latest news with #ElectionBoard
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
County Election Board approves complaint procedure
ANDERSON — The Madison County Election Board has approved a complaint procedure. A document outlining the process and a complaint form were posted on the county's website. The Election Board Thursday made one change to the draft document by allowing those filing a complaint to include additional pages. Election Board member Tim Lanane said the board should consider establishing a protocol for the hearing of complaints. He said all evidence being submitted should be done under oath. 'We want to make the procedures more efficient,' Lanane said. Complaints must be written on the proper form, properly executed and the allegation stated in writing. Election Board members are to be notified within 48 hours of a complaint being filed. Each board member will respond to the complaint, and if no response is made, the recommendation is that no response is required. If no board member responds, the Election Room deputy clerk will follow up on the complaint by letter. There can be an investigation of the complaint and a formal hearing. The Election Board imposed a $500 fine on John Poor, a Republican running for the District 2 seat on the Anderson city council. Poor never submitted financial information concerning his campaign in 2023 and 2024. The board voted to lower the fine from $1,000 to $500. Poor was the only one of four candidates who didn't file campaign finances in 2023 to accept a registered letter sent by the Election Board. The Election Board can take legal action to collect the fine, including a lien on property and debt collection procedures. Republican Jon Bell for Anderson mayor; Donita Thompson, who ran for the District 6 seat on the Anderson city council, losing in the Democratic Party primary; and Republican Ricky Payne, who ran for Elwood mayor, had the certified letters returned to sender. Lanane said the three candidates should have an opportunity to address the Election Board. Attorney Jeff Graham said an effort will be made to contact the three concerning a hearing or eventually could provide an advertised public notice. The Election Board's next meeting is set for August 21.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Election Board sets hearings for failure to file finance reports
ANDERSON — The Madison County Election Board has set a hearing date for four candidates who didn't file campaign finance reports in 2023. A hearing will take place May 15 for the following candidates: Republican Jon Bell for Anderson mayor; Donita Thompson, a candidate for the District 6 seat on the Anderson City Council who lost in the Democratic Party primary; John Poor, a Republican candidate for the District 2 seat on the Anderson City Council; and Republican Ricky Payne, who ran for mayor in Elwood. Madison County Clerk Linda Smith made a motion to waive all penalties and take no additional action against several committees that didn't file campaign finance reports in 2022. She said almost all of the committees have been disbanded. Smith said of the list of candidates who didn't file campaign finance reports in 2023, only the four that have had hearings set resolved the reporting status. The Election Board also began to formalize the complaint process and the method by which complaints will be handled. 'This is a draft,' Election Board President Tim Lanane said. The document outlining the process and the complaint form will be posted on the county's website. Lanane said the board will consider public comments, and a decision could be made at the next meeting. Complaints must be written on the proper form, properly executed and the allegation stated in writing. Election Board members are to be notified within 48 hours of a complaint being filed. 'The board will determine if a hearing is necessary,' Lanane said. Each board member will respond to the complaint, and if no response is made the recommendation is no response is required. If no board member responds, the Election Room deputy clerk will follow up on the complaint by letter. There can be an investigation of the complaint and a formal hearing.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Charges refiled hours after district judge dismissed case against Plains Township man accused of disrupting county election board meeting
Apr. 16—WILKES-BARRE — Within hours after charges against Joseph D. Granteed were dismissed related to shoving a Luzerne County sheriff deputy and disrupting a county election board meeting, prosecutors refiled the same exact charges against him on Wednesday. This time, Granteed will receive the criminal complaint via summons instead of the first time when he was arrested and taken for a preliminary arraignment before a district judge. District Judge Donald Whittaker of Nanticoke after a preliminary hearing held at Luzerne County Central Court dismissed two counts each of simple assault and harassment and one count each of disrupt meeting and disorderly conduct against Granteed, 66, of Plains Township. Granteed was charged after after he was physically removed from the March 19 county election board meeting by sheriff deputies Jerry DeHaza and Ryan Morgans after being instructed by county Manager Romilda Crocamo. "We are pleased with the district judge's decision. Judge Whittaker saw that no crime was committed or could have been committed given Mr. Granteed's First Amendment right to hold our elected officials accountable. We are saddened that the county has decided to refile these charges an waste taxpayer funds on this nonsense," stated Granteed's attorney, Matthew T. Muckler. During Wednesday's preliminary hearing that began at approximately 10 a.m., DeHaza prosecuted without an assistant district attorney and testified to events of the March 19 election board meeting. DeHaza said Granteed spoke before the election board and was told by Election Board Chairwoman Christine Boyle his three minutes were up and to sit down. Granteed made several remarks directed at election board member Rick Morelli as he walked away from the podium to a seat as Morelli also asked Granteed questions. DeHaza said he approached Granteed and asked to go outside the meeting room at the same time he waived his arms in a gesture to exit the room. "He verbally said I have no authority to do anything," DeHaza said. DeHaza said he wanted to calm the situation and left the meeting room to notify Sheriff Corporal Wanda Babula. DeHaza and Babula returned to Granteed instructing him to leave the room but Granteed refused. DeHaza said Crocamo then instructed to have Granteed removed resulting in a "hands-on" approach. When DeHaza said he put his hands on Granteed, Granteed responded by shoving him. DeHaza did not produce the video of the meeting showing Granteed shoving him. Muckler introduced the video showing Granteed's public address to the election board that illustrated Boyle advising him that his three minutes had expired as Morelli responded to Granteed with a question as Granteed walked from the podium to a seat. Muckler, in a strategic move, did not play the video showing DeHaza going "hands-on" in response to Crocamo directing Granteed be removed, which resulted in Granteed's arm shove onto DeHaza. DeHaza was denied a request by Whittaker to have Muckler show the video that depicts Granteed shoving him. "That's beyond the scope of my cross-examination," Muckler said in successfully objecting to DeHaza's request to show the video illustrating the shove. Whittaker did not waste any time in dismissing the case against Granteed, which took place at about 10:35 a.m. About four hours later, prosecutors refiled the charges against Granteed with the second preliminary hearing scheduled on May 28. After Wednesday's hearing, Granteed provided a statement to the Times Leader. "I went there with the intent of exercising my First Amendment right to be critical of my representatives. For some reason they didn't like what I said, or how I said it, and they held it against me," Granteed stated. Granteed thanked Muckler stating, "The truth came out." Granteed stated he will continue to monitor county election board meetings through the remote viewing option but does not expect to immediately attend in person. "I am not sure what could happen at this point; whether there will be retaliation," Granteed stated. Benjamin R. Herring, president of Citizens Advisory of Pennsylvania, issued this statement after Wednesday morning's preliminary hearing. "We are pleased with today's dismissal of charges from Judge Whittaker as they further solidify the fundamental right of all citizens to scrutinize elected officials. The first amendment absolutely and unequivocally allows for public officials to be called upon to address issues under their purview, and while some may not like that concept, id does not give them the right to restrict someone's speech. Citizens Advisory of Pennsylvania will always protect our fellow citizens constitutional rights, and today's ruling is a testament to that," Herring stated.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Stephens County Courthouse to temporarily close today for waterline repairs
The Stephens County Courthouse will close, with limited access to courtrooms, during waterline line repairs today. Chairman Todd Churchman said the City of Duncan will make waterline repairs April 8 and the courthouse will not have access to water for a minimum of four hours. Because of the repairs, the county board approved to close the Stephens County Courthouse, Sheriff's Office and Election Board Tuesday with limited access to the courts. Churchman said two of the courtrooms will remain open for necessary business. He said security will be in attendance for upstairs access. 'The rest of the courthouse will be closed,' he said. Stephens County Maintenance Director Steve Kaiser said crews will work on the jail to remain operational. In the next order of business during the Monday meeting, Construction Manager At-Risk Butch Lawson gave a brief update for American Rescue Plan Act projects. He said electricians will continue to work on the generator for the Stephens County Courthouse Annex. He said there's a scheduled power outage for 7 a.m. Friday to disconnect power and run it through the power transfer. Lawson said they will wait for a larger regulator for the meter to hook up the gas. The Stephens County Sheriff's Office and Election Board will close Friday, April 11 for work on the generator. For emergencies call 911, for other SCSO needs, call 580-255-3131. For the fairgrounds, Lawson said concrete crews began onsite and crews started installation for the roof on the banquet hall section. He said over the next few weeks crews will begin interior framing. The board then opened up a request to serve as a hosting entity for the Fire Management Assistance Grant for the Wildhorse Fire that happened March 14 near Velma. Commissioner Russell Morgan asked if all fire departments put in something. Emergency Manager Gary Curtis said all departments received notification. The board approved to authorize Curtis to submit the required documentation for eligible reimbursement. Finally, the board went into executive session for around 30 minutes to discuss the emergency manager's position. After reconvening into open session, the board took no action. In other news, the board approved: • The disposition of an unclaimed decedent. • To acknowledge a letter of resignation from fair board member, Eric Martin, and to affirm the appointment of Justin Parks to represent District #3 with a term set to end January 2028. Parks will replace Martin's position on the fair board. The Stephens County Commissioners will convene again at 9:30 a.m. Monday, April 14 at the Stephens County Courthouse.
Chicago Tribune
29-03-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Porter County election board gets update on equipment damage from burst pipe
Last month's flood that hit the Porter County Elections & Registration Office has left the staff high and dry, still homeless until repairs are completed. Some of the election machinery has been damaged, too. A burst water pipe caused an estimated $1 million in damage, not including the election equipment. The county Election Board heard an update Thursday about the damage. Porter County Clerk Jessica Bailey said 203 of the ballot-marking devices failed, although 100 are still functional. Fewer than five of the tabulation machines are damaged, but the boxes that housed them haven't fared as well. Two of the electronic poll books aren't functional. One had water raining on it from the burst water pipe, Elections & Registration Director Sundae Schoon said. Election Board President Paul Rausch asked if the insurance payment would be pro-rated based on the age of the equipment. The insurance company has yet to determine how much it will pay as it continues to process the claim, Schoon said. The vendor for that equipment has assured that it can replace what's damaged, Schoon said. Porter resident Jennifer Klug asked whether President Donald Trump's recent executive order regarding election equipment and procedures will mean replacing the existing equipment. 'I vote all the time,' Klug said, and didn't want a disruption. The vendor has assured that the replacement equipment will be fully compliant with any mandates in accordance with Trump's executive order, and the existing equipment's software can be updated easily, Bailey said. As the office is being put back together, the county plans to implement recommendations by the federal Cyber Infrastructure Security Agency to both secure the equipment and protect staff and voters' privacy. That includes preventing visitors from seeing information on workers' computer monitors. The extensive damage caused by the broken water pipe included soaking drywall several feet up from the floor, Schoon said. Until the office is put back together, staff members are working in temporary accommodations elsewhere. Some equipment for the E911 dispatch operation also housed in the building was damaged, but calls continued to go through using backup equipment. The Election Board also levied a series of fines for delinquent campaign finance reports, formally adopting findings of fact from last week. Fined were campaign committees for Tyler Brock, $150; Barb Domer, $300; Victoria Gresham, $250; John McGraw, $150; Lance Raphael, $1,000; Anthony Wire, $1,000; and Hannah Trueblood, $300.
