Peoria County Election Commission Observer Report

   The quorum of the monthly meeting included only Commissioners Manning, Bartolo, and Williamson in attendance.  Discussion on the payment of returned vote by mail ballots was deferred until next month because Commissioner Burke has some input but could not attend the May meeting.
   During his report of the executive director, Tom Bride told the Board that primary ballots to be sent overseas would go out on Saturday, May 14, and early voting would start May 19.  Training on the new voting equipment is continuing throughout the month of May.  Staff is still working through various issues such as provisional ballots. 
   In addition to the dropbox at the Election Office, two more boxes will be located at the Civic Center Box Office and the North Branch Library in Peoria.  They will be available for two weeks starting June 13.  They have not yet been installed, and will have a better camera.  Staff is working on an intergovernmental agreement with the library and will probably have one as well with the Civic Center.  There was a short discussion about the possibility of people putting many ballots in a drop box at one time.  Director Bride assured the Board that each ballot goes through the same vetting process, checking signatures against those on file. 
   Cardboard voting booths have been procured from St. Louis County and will be used until permanent ones arrive from the vendor.
Irene Pritzker, Observer