Council proclaims Jan. 27 Help America Vote Day, honors long‑time poll workers

Summit County Council unanimously approved Proclamation 2026-01 on Jan. 14, declaring Jan. 27, 2026, as Help America Vote Day and recognizing long-time poll workers Linda and Rich Dolan and Renata and Gary Dalton for their service.

Clerk Eve First introduced the proclamation and asked the council to join in thanking the veteran poll workers. Renata Dalton, Gary Dalton and later Linda and Rich Dolan addressed the council, describing their experiences running polling places and urging confidence in the process. Gary Dalton responded directly to public concerns about machine security, saying the system had reassured them: “this system showed us that... we walked away very secure about our voting systems.”

Councilmembers thanked poll workers and staff for training and support; several members recounted personal experiences voting in person and encouraged others to serve as poll workers. Tanya moved approval of the proclamation; Roger seconded and the council voted unanimously.

What’s next: framed copies of the proclamation and a certificate will be provided to the honorees, and staff encouraged public recognition of poll-worker recruitment ahead of upcoming elections.