Hamilton County Commissioners Staff 10/20/26

Hamilton County Commissioners staff meeting, October 20, 2026: The commissioners heard a presentation from Hamilton County Board of Elections Director Sherry Poland and Deputy Director Raquel Burgos on preparations and security for the November 3 election. They described bipartisan staffing and training, contingency plans and alternate polling sites, coordination with law enforcement, fire departments, utilities, prosecutors, and election-security partners, and procedures for responding to emergencies or unusual activity. Commissioners raised concerns about voter intimidation and unauthorized people at polling places; the Board said poll workers can contact its help desks and field troubleshooters, and voters can call 513-946-8500. The Board reported more than 25,000 early in-person voters and approximately 45,000 vote-by-mail requests as of the prior day. It also noted that, under a change in Ohio law, mailed ballots must be received by the Board by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, and discussed requirements for returning another person’s ballot and the campaign zone near the early-voting site.

The Board thanked the commissioners for previously provided funding, but no new funding allocation, contract award, solicitation, vendor selection, or other procurement action was presented. Commissioners asked the Board to review its public notice about Saturday early voting and to consider further safeguards and guidance for polling-place incidents. The meeting adjourned after a motion and second, approved by all three commissioners.