Count them out: Board of Elections must accept public comments and produce its minutes
The 10-member city Board of Elections had its regular Tuesday meeting a year ago this week, March 3, 2020, at its downtown offices, with commissioners, staff and public in attendance in its not-too-large conference room. There was another one the next week, March 10. But that was it for gatherings. Ever since March 17, it’s been 100% COVID-imposed virtual only via video connections.
However, that March 3 meeting, 52 weeks ago, was the last one for which minutes exist, approved two weeks later, at the premier on-line session. We know that every one of the meetings since then took place; they were on the screen, and a primary was held in June and a general election conducted in November. That all happened, but there’s nothing official on the board’s actions. There haven’t been any formal records approved even though the note taker can clearly be seen taking notes.
Absent minutes, does that mean the certified results are still certified from the presidential election? At the end of this week’s meeting, Executive Director Mike Ryan said, “any personnel matters will be reported out in the minutes as required.” Unless they don’t exist.
Also missing for the past 51 weeks has been any public comment on the doings of voting in the nation’s biggest city during the biggest turnout election in U.S. history. From good government groups and advocates, to partisans and gadflies, not a word from anyone.
Other government agencies figured out how to accommodate input during COVID. Some allow live video (Zoom, Skype, Webex, etc.) or phone access where people can have their say, which is the best option. Some collect and play prerecorded video or audio. Still others just permit written submissions in advance. The Board of Elections does none.
And even after 10 civic organizations wrote to the board on Feb. 22, asking for restored public comments, there wasn’t even the courtesy of a reply. The board must bring back public comments immediately and find the year’s worth of missing minutes.
