November 21, 2003

 

 

Carol Payntar

1940 E. Lake Road

Skaneateles, New York 13152

 

Dear Ms. Payntar:

 

Based upon your letter dated November 5, 2003, we have reviewed the voting process in Spafford on November 4, 2003 with the following results:

 

1.  Poll watchers are authorized in a polling place provided they have an appropriate poll watcher certificate and do not interfere with the voting process, inspectors or voters. Normally a poll watcher represents a political party in each election district. Your party apparently had a poll watcher for each candidate.

 

2.  While the location of poll watchers can change during the day, it would appear that the change at the Town Hall does not appear to be warranted.

 

3.  Town clerks have Election Day responsibilities and all town clerks in Onondaga County are asked to have their office open during the hours of voting. ln addition, Ms. Valletta was unopposed in her re-election bid.

 

4.  The inspectors noted that Mr. Ireland was in the polling place for 2-3 minutes one time to tell the inspectors that they do a good job and brought them some refreshments.

 

5.  At the Spafford Fire Hall, lnspector Ann Palen denies making the comments attributed to her. She understands the legal role that poll watchers have. She did, however, believe that the poll watcher was harassing voters as they were constantly asking them to repeat their names.

Ms. Payntar

Page 2

November 21, 2003

 

 

 

6. Candidates can witness the canvass of machine results after the polls close at 9 PM on election day. Inspector Shoemaker indicates that while she did put her hand on Ms. Barnett as she was leaving the polling place shortly before 9PM, she notes she was not accosting Ms. Barnett. Ms. Shoemaker is in her 70’s and Ms. Barnett is in her 40’s. There was never an expectation that violence would have occurred. Commissioner Kiggins talked to the inspectors who advised her that the poll watchers and the candidate were being disruptive to their activities. Ms. Kiggins advised the inspectors to tell anyone being disruptive that they would have to vacate the polling place. The inspectors involved have been advised about proper conduct in the polling place regarding candidates and poll watchers.

 

It is our expectation that everyone involved in the Spafford elections understand better the procedures and conduct to be followed at the polling place and that there should not be a repeat of the last election day activities.

                                                                           

Sincerely,

 

 

EJS:HMK

/ceh