JOHNSTOWN — The Fulton County Board of Supervisors on Monday approved several items related to operation of the county Board of Elections.
The election office has been busy this spring with Gov. Andrew Cuomo moving up primary elections from September to June 25, and dealing with early voting.
Supervisors on Monday passed a resolution to revise the pay schedule for election inspectors to address early voting mandates. Effective July 1, the pay rate for elections inspectors will be: General Election Day — $200; Primary Election Day — $200; early voting day (eight hours) – $100; early voting day (five hours) — $75; inspector school – $25; and election day chairperson — $25.
The board waived the work week limits policy for per diem voting machine custodians in the Board of Elections office. New York state legislators have now mandated new early voting periods for nine days prior to any primary, general or special election in the state. The policy was waived for the week of General Election Day and for two weeks prior to any election.
A resolution was passed to accept a $31,643 state Board of Elections Aid to Localities Grant. The grant is to be used for reimbursement of costs related to implementation of early voting. The Aid to Localities Grant was created by the state to assist with early voting by reimbursing local governments for eligible costs related to equipment, staffing and poll site expenses.
The board also authorized application and acceptance of a $42,168 state Board of Elections Capital Grant. Such a grant assists in implementation of electronic poll books, ballot printing devices, associated software, and other new technology to support early voting.
In other business, Gloversville 4th Ward Supervisor Charles Potter made a motion to have board Chairman Jack Wilson send a letter of support by the Board of Supervisors for state Sen. James Tedisco’s efforts opposing giving driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants.
The Potter motion seconded by Gloversville 1st Ward Supervisor Marie Born supports Tedisco’s “County Clerks Protection Act.” The act would indemnify county clerks, who run most of the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles, from facing lawsuits or removal by the governor when they refuse to issue driver’s licenses to those here illegally.
The only comment was by Gloversville 2nd Ward Supervisor Frank Lauria, who felt the resolution was being rushed.
“I think it should go through the committee process,” Lauria said.
Michael Anich covers Johnstown and Fulton County news. He can be reached at [email protected]
