On December 13, the Greene County Board of Elections faced the necessity to recertify their official election results due to an equipment-related discrepancy that impacted the inclusion of provisional ballots. The Board discovered a significant error that left “not enough provisional voters” reflected in the final tally, leading to the amendment of the official results. The problem arose from improper settings on their ballot scanner, which affected the scanning of provisional ballots into the results system while only capturing the overarching project data. Despite this miscalculation, Board of Elections Director Alisha Lampert assured that the corrections did not alter the outcome of any races or tax issues. The board managed to resolve the oversight before the certification deadline on November 20.
The reconciliation of provisional ballots followed the board’s earlier decision to delay its audit certification due to an unexpectedly higher voter turnout, which was about 2% greater than in the previous election cycle of 2020. This increase further emphasized the importance of addressing the provisional ballot error in a timely manner. Ohio Secretary of State spokesman Dan Lusheck commended the overall election process in the state, praising the historic voter participation rates and the commitment of local election officials. He underscored the importance of maintaining secure and transparent elections and acknowledged the Greene County Board’s need to address previous mistakes seriously.
Past election-related issues had placed the Greene County Board of Elections under administrative oversight in 2023, particularly after a series of errors during the 2022 election cycle that delayed results for key races, including the Yellow Springs Village Council. Besides the mismanagement of provisional ballots, there were instances where absentee voters received incorrect party ballots and instances of erroneous printing related to election dates. This history of difficulties heightened scrutiny on the Board of Elections and necessitated improved operational processes moving forward.
The financial challenges were also highlighted during a recent public work session involving the Greene County Commissioners. The Board of Elections reported a budget deficit exceeding $100,000 for the upcoming 2024 election cycle. This budgetary constraint had tangible repercussions, including the decision to forgo the official counting assistance from their election vendor, which typically plays a crucial role in ensuring accurate and efficient vote counting. Lampert expressed the intent to prioritize responsible budgeting practices while maintaining election integrity amid financial pressures.
Amidst the challenges and past errors, ongoing efforts to bolster the operational capabilities of the Greene County Board of Elections are essential. The Secretary of State’s office is actively collaborating with the Board to enhance processes and training in the wake of the 2024 after-action review. This oversight not only addresses the immediate errors but aims to provide an assurance of quality control and voter confidence in future elections.
In summary, the recent issues faced by the Greene County Board of Elections provide a salient reminder of the complexities surrounding the election process, particularly in the context of errors that can have real-world consequences. Moving forward, addressing these challenges through improved training, rigorous adherence to processes, and careful budget management will be vital for fostering public trust and ensuring the smooth execution of future elections. The commitment from both local officials and the Secretary of State’s office highlights the collaborative efforts required to uphold democratic principles and enhance electoral integrity in Greene County.