Bi-partisan committee created to review problems, online portal established for voters to report experiences
The Oakland County Board of Commissioners acted last Thursday in response to multiple media reports and voter complaints of problems at polling locations in communities throughout Oakland County during the August 7 Primary Election. A bi-partisan panel of four county commissioners has been appointed to review issues related to Oakland County’s election infrastructure, seek public input, and make recommendations for improvements. The Board of Commissioners has created an online portal for voters to submit issues and concerns related to their experiences at the polls on election day that can be accessed at the Board’s website: www.oakgov.com/boc.
Voters at polling locations throughout Oakland County have reported precincts ran out of ballots and that significant delays in the voting process occurred as a result. Media and local reports of ballot shortages include precincts in: Ferndale, Oak Park, Berkley, Farmington Hills, Pontiac, Birmingham, Bloomfield Township, Southfield, West Bloomfield Township, Commerce Township, Wolverine Lake, and Troy.
The Ad Hoc Committee on Oakland County Election Infrastructure will be co-chaired by Commissioners Tom J. Berman (R-Keego Harbor) and Nancy Quarles (D-Southfield). Commissioners Marcia Gershenson (D-Bloomfield Twp.) and Adam Kochenderfer (R-Rochester Hills) are also members.
“I am pleased to have been appointed to serve as co-chair of this ad hoc committee, which represents a bi-partisan effort to study Oakland County’s election system infrastructure,” said Berman. “The poor execution and challenges voters faced at the polls on Tuesday are inexcusable. I’m determined to thoroughly investigate the issues that arose, and to identify and implement solutions to ensure this ballot debacle never happens again.”
“The historic voter turnout in Oakland County was a testament to an incredible civic awakening that is occurring throughout our communities and country,” said Quarles. “We need to do everything in our power to ensure we protect everyone’s hard won, fundamental civil and voter’s rights as we prepare for the November election.”
“I appointed this ad hoc committee to assess our voting system infrastructure due to concerns regarding the voting abnormalities that occurred in the August 7th primary,” stated Board Chairman Michael J. Gingell. “Running out of ballots, making residents wait to vote and being unprepared for significant voter turnout is unacceptable. I am looking forward to reviewing the committee’s findings so that we can address these issues.”
For additional information about the BOC or to file a voter incident report, visit www.oakgov.com/boc or call 248-858-0100.
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