Board hears reports of voters turned away, machine power issues and signage problems during May 19 election

Board members used the certification meeting to record operational issues observed during the May 19 election that could inform preparations for the June runoff.

Member Beverly reported visiting precincts and said some sites turned away many voters who arrived at the wrong polling place. "I asked them... they had already turned around 50 people" at one site and "about 70 people" at another, Beverly said, adding that some of those voters may have left rather than find the correct precinct. Several board members and staff noted that many voters mistakenly visit advanced-voting sites on election day and step-in confusion persists despite signs and outreach.

Elections staff reported equipment problems at a small number of locations: at Southside Baptist a battery backup shorted and began smoking, briefly taking four machines offline until staff rerouted BMDs to other power supplies; at multiple sites two-page absentee ballots sometimes printed incomplete backs, triggering revotes or duplication workflows. Staff also recounted a parking conflict at Mount Calvary when a school used a church parking lot and poll workers had to manage traffic; staff said they called the sheriff’s office and the school board safety department to assist.

Staff emphasized remedies under consideration: rescanning narrowly identified absentee batches to reconcile counts, portable AC units for locations with insufficient cooling, review of machine placement and privacy screens, and improved signage/stake signs to better direct voters to the correct precinct. The board discussed the possibility and cost of post-closing security escorts for poll workers but noted the risk of perceived voter intimidation if officers are stationed during voting hours.

Why it matters: Operational problems can depress turnout, cause delays, and spark complaints that require follow-up. The board asked staff to study mitigation measures ahead of the runoff on June 16.

What’s next: Staff will follow up on cooling solutions at specific sites, rescan affected batches, and continue outreach to reduce voter confusion about polling locations.