ST. CLAIRSVILLE - The Belmont County Board of Elections met Monday to review preparations for the months leading up to the November elections.
Among the issues in the works were planned improvements to five voting sites in the area.
On May 1 work will begin on installing a ramp at Temperanceville Precinct 108 from the poll location to the lot.
A new handicapped-accessible parking pad may also be installed at the Hendrysburg site, the Valley Inn at Dilles Bottom, and the James E. Carnes Center in St. Clairsville.
The sites receiving permanent upgrades will sign a 10-year leases allowing the locations to be used at voting centers.
Also, the South School gymnasium in Martins Ferry will still be used as a voting site.
In other matters, board received an invitation to a press conference in at the Athens Community Center hosted by Secretary of State Jon Husted May 2. The conference will address the recruitment of precinct election officials to work the polls this November.
Other preparations for the presidential election will also be addressed.
Poll worker recruiting has started in the area. Anyone interested should call the board office at (740) 526-0188 and ask for the director or deputy director. There has been an increase in wages to poll workers.
Board approved payment on vouchers in the amount of $71,219.52.
Also, board members will likely attend the upcoming district summer conference meeting in Newark. The date has not been set.
The board's election administration plan is due July 9.
Board received petitions for Jerry Echemann and Doug Longenette, both independent candidates for a contested commissioner seat.
The filing deadline for candidates is Aug. 8 with certification deadline Aug. 20.
Next meetings will be held May 21, June 18, July 23, Aug. 15, and Sept. 17, all at 1 p.m.
DeFrank can be reached at rdefrank@timesleaderonline.com
