PRE-ELECTION MEETING

MINUTES (DRAFT)

JUNE 29, 2024 @ 9:00 AM

DATE, TIME, PLACE AND PURPOSE OF MEETING

The Board of Civil Authority of the Town of Halifax met Saturday, June 29, 2024 at 9:00 A.M. at the Halifax Town Clerk’s Office located at the West Halifax Elementary School to discuss upcoming elections in August. Primary focus is the location for the election.

BCA MEMBERS PRESENT:

Edee Edwards, Karen Christofferson, Rhonda Ashcraft and Patrick McAllister, Selectboard; Malcolm K. Sumner, Craig J. Stone, Kaitlin Stone and Joan Wonsey-Courser (Justices of the Peace); and Patricia Dow, Town Clerk were present.

CALL TO ORDER:

The BCA pre-election meeting was called to order by Craig Stone, Chairman at 9:04 A.M.

The meeting was then turned over to the Clerk, Patricia Dow. Dow explained the reason for the meeting being a conflict with the school in using the gym for the election as it will be used by the summer Wings and food service program that week, and without having a Custodian, there is difficulty with the cleaning and timing of the school in August.

DESIGNATION OF POLLING PLACE

Malcolm stated the town uses the school space for elections and voting and it should continue to be used.  Kaitlin stated the ballot boxes are very heavy to move. Craig stated that Patty mentioned a possible location could be the town office conference room. Malcolm suggested speaking with the School Board to set it up that the school is always used for elections and voting. Edee was concerned with handicap access if the conference room was used. She also stated that the Town pays a much higher rate for the use of this space now. Patrick suggested putting this issue in the lease agreement to use the gym for elections and voting.  Karen asked if the Community Hall would charge a fee to use that space for the election, Patty stated that Laurel Copeland agreed there would not be a fee. Patty also stated it is a lot of work to move the election to a new location and it confuses voters.

A motion was made by Craig Stone to contact the school to leave the election and voting in the school, and to allow Patty to coordinate that or to have the election in the Town Office Conference Room if the school was not available. Edee seconded the motion. The motion was so voted. All were in favor.

Edee mentioned that the Selectboard does not have anything regarding the elections in writing with the school. Karen suggested we communicate this to the school stating that this is what the town needs.

Malcolm mentioned there is a concern regarding where the ballot booths are kept for storage. So far they are stored in the supply closet in the Gym.

ADJOURNMENT the Pre-Election Hearing was adjourned at 9:16 A.M.

Minutes dated July 2, 2024                                    Attest: ______________________________

            Town Clerk

       Board of Civil Authority