Monroe County clerk warns staffing shortfall will limit early-voting hours; board schedules special meeting

Monroe County election staff and board members spent a sustained portion of the meeting debating whether to extend early-voting hours beyond the statutory 8 a.m. p.m. minimum. The Clerk (Kylie) told the board she does not currently have the manpower or overtime funding to staff longer hours and that extending the schedule would require a unanimous board vote.

"I do not have anyone who is willing to work for less than 1 hour of comp time per day to make that happen," the Clerk said, explaining that staff were already being asked to work long days during the 60 days prior to the primary and that the overtime line had been zeroed out. She said the office will be open at a minimum from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. unless the board unanimously agrees to extend those hours and the County Council approves additional appropriations.

Board members questioned the staffing projection and asked for data. The Clerk pointed to a recent surge in candidate filings (199 reported at the end of the previous day), including multiple contested races she expects will increase turnout and slow processing. She cited the logistical impact of moving Election Central to a new facility and the need to complete tasks such as printing and ballot preparation.

County Council President Jennifer Crossley had earlier sent a message inviting the Clerk and election board to return to the council if additional funding was required; staff indicated the council is willing to consider appropriations but noted it is uncommon to ask for more funding before current lines are spent. The board agreed to call a special election-board meeting for Feb. 12, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. to finalize early-voting hours and related logistics after the council meets.

Other administrative items during the meeting: staff reported one polling location has withdrawn due to remodeling; the board authorized staff (Ms. Farris) to relocate the affected precincts to closer polling places or to find alternatives, and the board approved procedural motions including sending CFA-4 compliance letters and updating a voter's history record following a public request.

What happens next: The board will reconvene in the special meeting on Feb. 12, 2026, to set early-voting hours and finalize polling locations; any extension of hours beyond 8 a.m. p.m. requires unanimous board approval and may require County Council appropriations to pay staff overtime or additional temporary personnel.

Sources: Monroe County Election Board meeting transcript and public comment.