Marion County Circuit Clerk Janette Nolan wants to ensure that the polls are ready for 2018’s elections.
Nolan and the Marion County Board of Supervisors discussed the county’s polling places earlier this week, in hopes of taking care of any issues with the buildings.
“The federal midterm election is this year,” she said. “It is on June 5. We didn’t have any activity at our voting precincts last year. I didn’t want to wait until the last minute to check and make repairs. The Union precinct tends to have some issues, and I know that we had some Beat 3 precincts that had some things going on a couple of years ago.”
The runoff for federal elections is June 26, but there are also other elections this year in Marion County that are much more locally focused.
“School Board qualifying for Districts 3 and 4 will be qualifying through September,” Nolan said. “The qualifying for the special election for county attorney will also continue through then. Those will be on the General Election ballot on Nov. 6.”
Nolan said election commissioners were already working on preparations and discussing locations. The Board looked at options for a lease for the Union precinct in eastern Marion County. It also discussed use of a Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department station in the area.
“The current lease goes out on May 31, prior to the election,” Board Attorney Joe Shepard said.
“I there is a restroom at the fire department, it could work,” Nolan said. “We have to make sure on the sites. I expect there will be some observers, since this is a federal election.”
Shepard explained that the Board had the option to renew the current lease but needed to give the property owner 60 days notice either way.
“It would need some repairs,” Nolan said.
Pictured Above: Circuit Clerk Janette Nolan, left, shown while working during a recent election, spoke with the Marion County Board of Supervisors about the 2018 election cycle in Marion County.
“We got the roof fixed on the building,” Board President Randy Dyess said. “The walls may need some repair. It is a foundation problem.” | File Photo
The Board approved the notice to renew, leaving options open, and will renew the lease if necessary.
“We still have time,” Nolan said.
Shepard told the Board a decision would be needed soon to abide with laws.
“We need to give 60 days notice if we intend to do anything,” he said.
The Board also discussed the state’s new reverse auction and online bidding policies.
“We’ve got a potential auction coming up,” District 5 Supervisor Calvin Newsom said. “We’re still trying to figure it out. We need a site.”
The Board currently has a quote to set up the needed site from its current provider, U.S. Net. Setup costs could be around $300, including training, with the monthly fee at $79.
“There are only a certain number of companies they (state) have approved,” Shepard said.
The Board will continue meeting through Thursday and will next meet in regular session on Jan. 20 at its offices on Courthouse Square. The Jan. 20 date is one day later than normal to accommodate the Presidents’ Day holiday.
