Oct. 11, 2006 — St. Thomas-St. John District Board of Elections members got little accomplished during a Wednesday evening meeting, which board chair Lawrence Boschulte described as "organized chaos."
According to Boschulte, the meeting was one of several that will be held over the next few weeks in preparation for the general election Nov. 7. During Wednesday's meeting, board members were scheduled to receive updates on how many polling machines will be set up throughout the territory, how much money the board has budgeted for the election and how many residents will be able to vote come November, among other things.
While board members learned that there are currently 100 available polling machines, they did not decide whether 80 or 90 machines should be set up. Additionally, Elections officials could not say exactly how many residents have registered to vote territorywide, or how much money the St. Thomas-St. John District Board has budgeted for the general election.
According to Natalie Thomas, deputy supervisor of elections, both district boards have been allocated $200,000 collectively for the general election. However, since costs are split between the St. Thomas-St. John and the St. Croix district boards, it is "difficult" to say how much money each board will receive.
She also said that a final count has not yet been conducted on the number of voters registered throughout the territory.
Another unanswered question is how much money the board has left over from its fiscal year 2006 appropriation. Like all government entities, the district boards go through an annual budget process, which involves the executive branch, the Office of Management and Budget, and the Legislature.
During Wednesday's meeting, board member Arturo Watlington moved that the board transfer any excess FY 2006 money into a new "imprest" account, which board members could tap into to purchase supplies and equipment for general or primary elections.
He said that in FY 2006 the board received $50,000 to hire a new administrative officer. While the position has been filled, Watlington explained after the meeting that not all the funds were utilized. "The board should be able to use that money to purchase the things it needs during election time," he said.
While the board voted during the meeting to authorize the transfer and establish the new account, neither Watlington nor Thomas could say how much "excess" money is available.
"I don't know how much we have left," Watlington said. "But I know we do have something left. And if we don't, we'll go to the Senate and ask for more money."
He added that the board should not be financially "handicapped" since it is responsible for running the elections.
In order to create the account, the board would have to put in for an appropriation transfer, which has to be approved by both OMB and the Senate's Finance Committee. Watlington said that having the board authorize the establishment of the account is the "first step" in that process.
During the meeting, board members also fielded comments from Elections judges — individuals hired to supervise the polling sites during the general and primary elections — about possible glitches in the voting system.
Specifically, board members discussed the late opening of polling stations, the availability of supplies during election time, and the role judges play on voting day.
Responding to warnings made by board member Alecia Wells about negative behavior displayed by "poll watchers" (individuals hired by various candidates to monitor polling stations on voting day), many judges questioned how much authority they had in regulating the activities of residents at the polling stations.
Boschulte assured the judges that "if an individual gives you lip then you can throw them out," adding, "The judges are in charge at the polling stations on voting day."
After the meeting, Boschulte explained that "poll watchers" often remain at stations all day, which could "intimidate" Elections workers. "It makes people like the judges feel as if they're being scrutinized," he said.
Boschulte added that the board will continue to have meetings with judges, monitors, facilitators and other Elections workers over the next few weeks. "Right now it's okay if everything seems a bit disorganized," he said. "We're gearing up for the election and we're working out all the kinks."
"If we don't get everything worked out by Oct. 31, then I'll be worried," he added.
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