Public Monitor

Center for Election Integrity Appointed Public Monitor

PDF file of Board of Elections Resolution

Cuyahoga County Board Of Elections

Policy Statement
and
Formation of the Election Review Panel

Comprehensive Review of the Problems that Occurred in Preparing For and Conducting the May 2, 2006 Election in Cuyahoga County

The Cuyahoga Board of Elections recognizes that a variety of problems occurred on Election Day, May 2nd, and others arose during its activities preparing for this election. This primary election was the first in which two new electronic voting systems were used county-wide. It required the creation and deployment of a wide range of new administrative and training systems in a very short period of time. Effective completion of these tasks presented high hurdles, and despite its dedicated efforts, the Board did not clear the bar in some respects.

We sought to conduct an error-free election. We join the voters and candidates in saying that the technical and administrative performance levels of the May 2nd election are unacceptable and cannot be repeated. We can and will dramatically improve this Board's performance in conducting elections before the next federal election scheduled for November 7, 2006. The voters of this county deserve nothing less.

For these improvements to occur in less than the six months remaining before November, the Board must initiate a rigorous, independent, and comprehensive review that will identify both the causes and effective solutions to these difficulties. And it must be completed expeditiously in light of the election calendar. We must structure the inquiry in a manner that will incorporate relevant expertise, depth of insight, and sound judgment. It must be able to move quickly and surely to determine the problems and the needed resolutions. And it must be conducted with the utmost integrity and impartiality.

Obviously, this independent and impartial inquiry must be conducted by those who have no financial connection to Board Members, its employees, and contractors. It must not be politically biased in any manner. It must avoid a cumbersome structure that would make the logistics and pace of its work difficult to achieve. And the panelists must be available to start on this work immediately.

With these principles in mind, the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections has created the Cuyahoga Election Review Committee. We have directed all employees and contractors of the Board to cooperate in every manner with the Review Committee's work. We request that all persons within County government, within its contractors' staffs, and members of the public at large who might have relevant information to be forthcoming with that information. We also charge the Review Committee to cooperate with the Secretary of State's investigation into the events under examination, and to obtain relevant information and evaluations from the County's technical contracting firm on an expedited basis.

We believe that this independent inquiry will generate the information that is essential for the Board to receive so that it can correct various problems that may impede citizens' rights to vote and the ability of the Board of Elections to tabulate that vote accurately.

Further details can be found in the statement below.

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Name: Cuyahoga Election Review Committee

Composition: 3 members: Appointed to these posts are:

1. Judge Ronald B. Adrine
2. Director Thomas J. Hayes
3. Professor Candice Hoke

Agreeing to chair this inquiry is Judge Ronald B. Adrine. Bios on the appointees are attached [link to bios].

Charge:

1. Identify the deficiencies in the Cuyahoga County elections performance occurring in the May 2, 2006 election, including problems with (a) preparation for the election, (b) the conduct of the election on May 2, and (c) those following the closing of the polls, including tabulating the vote.
2. Ascertain the causes and contributing factors to each aspect of deficient performance, including the technological failures, and training and administrative issues.
3. Provide a set of recommendations for remedying the deficiencies and achieving the highest standards in election administrative performance.

Timetable for Reports: A report is to be completed by July 17, 2006 with an interim report submitted to the Board by June 14, 2006.

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More Information on the Cuyahoga Election Review Panel

Public Monitor Home Background on the Panel Board of Elections Policy Statement and Resolution County Commissioners Resolution (PDF)

About the Panel Members Final Report (PDF) Interim Report (PDF)

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